Sports program tackling mental health

WHEN North Ballarat went head-to-head with Melton South last Saturday in the Ballarat Football Netball League, there was more than just premiership points and a spot in the finals on the line.

Both clubs were taking part of a program aimed at raising mental health awareness for players and coaches and all teams from all grades of took to the footy field and netball court to take part in the Tackle Your Feelings Cup.

The Roosters’ involvement was set up by Sports Central Ballarat, and senior coach Brendan McCartney said it’s important to recognise mental health’s place in the club.

“This is a great program that helps us recognise and manage when someone might be struggling and our role as a footy club is to have enough of us around to do just that,” he said.

“It’s educating people on the potential signs which aren’t always as clear as they seem and don’t have one-person-fixes-all solutions.

“We’re a young club and we want to build competitive, resilient young people in all grades that are in touch with themselves and understand their teammates.”

The club previously took part in a workshop for the program last year, and this year attended a question and answer session last week in the lead up to the game.

The event included presentations from McCartney, ambassadors Dylan Buckley and Brit Bonnici and Sports Central’s Michael Flynn.

Stacey Matthews, captain of Rooster’s A Grade netball team, said the program reinforced the support she feels from the club.

“Having everyone that came here just gives everyone the knowledge that everyone can go in their ups and downs,” she said.

“Even your highest elite of footballers and netballers can go through different experiences in life, and it could be injury, families, relationships, anything.

“Just knowing you’ve got the support of your club around you is so important and it’s something that North really focuses on so it’s fantastic.”