Give mental health a tri

BALLARAT Highlanders Rugby Club is hosting their inaugural Charity Sevens Tournament with proceeds going towards men’s mental health.

The event will be held at Doug Dean Reserve in Delacombe from 9am on Saturday, 5 February and will comprise of 19 games across eight teams.

Secretary of Ballarat Highlanders Rugby Club, Jen Couzens, said that while the team have always strived to “put ourselves on the map”, organisers decided that the event offered an opportunity to provide local support to a relevant organisation.

“Mental health is such a big issue and sport is really good for wellbeing and so we saw that connection and we wanted to help foster those links,” she said.

“It seemed like a natural synergy to work with Ballarat Men’s Mental Health.”

The event has sparked interest from other rugby teams in Melbourne and Victoria’s western region.

“It just seems to be getting bigger and bigger,” Ms Couzens said.

Various community sponsors have also volunteered to lend a hand including food truck Mr. Squidgee and vouchers supplied by Red Lion with City of Ballarat “moving the cricket” to accommodate the event.

A drone will also be used to capture footage throughout the day.

“We’re hoping it will be just a great event, not only for our club but also for Ballarat and also rugby union,” Ms Couzens said.

It is hoped the event will be the first of many to be held annually with a view to evolve into a multicultural festival.

“We’re putting a lot of time and effort into its organisation this year and we’re hoping that will roll over into future years,” Ms Couzens said