This weekend marks the third annual beyondblue Round where the SFNL participates in initiatives to support our community in achieving their best possible mental health.
The purpose of the themed round is to highlight beyondblue’s mission to ‘provide information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live’.
beyondblue recognises the importance sport has in the Australian community. They have formed key partnerships with national and state elite sporting clubs and associations to be able to directly engage with large and diverse communities.
2015 was the first year of beyondblue’s partnership in which the inaugural SFNL beyondblue Round and Cup was held over the opening weekend of the season.
In 2016, the SFNL beyondblue Round and Cup expanded its awareness and fundraising initiatives, with footballers across the league wearing blue beyondblue socks. This saw just under $5,000 raised for beyondblue, which assists the great work the organisation does.
The community partnership is focused on raising awareness of anxiety, depression and suicide prevention and aims to provide support for those that may be experiencing a mental health condition. Following some traumatic events in recent times, the SFNL will be facilitating this beyondblue Round with increased awareness and fundraising activities.
In 2017, the SFNL are pleased to again partner with beyondblue in an initiative that will see this weekend embraced as beyondblue Round. Our clubs have been encouraged to purchase blue beyondblue branded socks for $10 each for all footballers and netballers, with the money raised from each sale donated to beyondblue.
We hope these blue socks will be a conversation starter, help remove any stigma associated with discussing mental health and raise much-needed funds to ensure beyondblue can continue to provide support to those in need.
beyondblue will have a very strong presence at the beyondblue Cup this weekend at McKinnon Reserve between St Pauls and Bentleigh. Around the ground there will be representatives from beyondblue sharing free resources and information along with collecting donations.
Inside the club rooms will be the official beyondblue luncheon which has been fantastically supported by St Pauls and Bentleigh, who we thank for their involvement in this wonderful initiative. We also appreciate St Pauls being so accommodating in hosting the beyondblue Cup and luncheon which will feature guest speaker, beyondblue Ambassador Shane Kelton.
These two clubs will also be competing for the beyondblue Cup which will encompass all competitions where they are drawn to play each other over this weekend. To determine the winner, calculation towards the beyondblue Cup will be as follows:
We wish everyone at all levels of the SFNL the very best for this beyondblue Round and good luck to those participating with beyondblue awareness or fundraising initiatives this weekend.
If you or anyone you know feels affected by depression or anxiety remember they are treatable conditions and effective treatments are available. The earlier you seek support, the better. beyondblue’s 24/7 Support No. is 1300 22 4636 or online chat is available 3pm-midnight at beyondblue.org.au/getsupport
