In exciting news, Youth Focus has partnered with the ‘Ahead of the Game’ program as it is rolled out to Western Australian footy clubs.
Ahead of the Game, a joint initiative between the AFL and Movember, is a free youth mental health program run out of local clubs that seeks to support players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers to better understand mental health.
Youth Focus will support the program by facilitating free interactive workshops that will help young people to face challenges both on and off the field, giving them the tools to look after their own wellbeing and support their mates when times are tough.
Youth Focus Ambassador and Fremantle FC Captain Alex Pearce attended the launch. He reflected, “Over my journey as a footballer, I’ve learnt how important my mental health is; even more so than my physical health. I see physios, doctors and surgeons regarding physical issues but it’s really keeping myself mentally healthy that plays a part in me living a full happy life and being able to perform well.”
In the Great Southern region Carl Heslop, Clinical Lead at headspace Albany, will facilitate Ahead of the Game workshops to young footy players. He says, “Being able to connect with young footballers in an environment that they know and trust with a program supported by the AFL and Movember allows us to create authentic connections and encourage young people to think about how they support their friends and teammates throughout the season and beyond.”
Steven Scott-Fiori, Community and Engagement Officer at Youth Focus Peel and South West, will help facilitate workshops in the region. “This program will help destigmatise mental health in the sporting community and will help empower young people to look after their own mental health, both on and off the field. We know that around 40 per cent of young people experience a mental health challenge in any year and 75 per cent of mental illness occur before the age of 25. Raising awareness of mental health in the sporting community is going to be extremely beneficial going forward, for everyone.”
Ahead of the Game is available to football clubs at no cost, and we’ll be facilitating sessions in the Mid West, Great Southern, Peel and South West. Head to aheadofthegame.org.au and follow the links to register your club today.