Football West is pleased to announce a new two-year partnership with Healthway.
The partnership will focus on behaviours within the football community through an innovative campaign based around mental health, club environments, priority communities and modified e-gaming.
The Think Mental Health campaign will support the mental health of players, coaches, referees, volunteers and the wider football community and will see Think Mental Health messaging promoted to more than 200,000 participants across Western Australia.
Aligned with Healthway’s Strategic Plan: Active Healthy People 2018 -2023 and in conjunction with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s (ADF) Good Sports Program, Football West will provide support for Western Australians to live a healthy lifestyle and be mentally healthy.
Football West will work with the ADF to reduce alcohol related harm and encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol with football clubs across WA.
The ADF will support football clubs to develop their own club policy covering alcohol, smoking, safe transport, illegal drug use and mental health. The ADF will continue to provide resources, information and tools to football clubs which will enable them to keep their members healthy and safe.
Greg Williams, WA State Manager for the ADF, said: “The Good Sports program is a great way for club volunteers to make positive changes to their club environment. It is free, easy to use, and resources are provided to help you make any necessary changes.
“We work with over 900 sporting clubs in WA to support them in developing their own club policy. We look forward to working with many more and maintaining the health and safety of sporting club members across the state.”
The ‘Couch to Pitch’ program is a new initiative targeting e-sport video gamers and will be aimed at engaging participants within the local football club network and entry level physical football activities.
The Targeting Priority Communities program will aim to engage low participation groups through non-traditional football programs.
Football West Chief Executive Officer James Curtis said the partnership provided further support to clubs in promoting a healthy lifestyle to children and young people.
“The ‘Couch to Pitch’ program signifies a fundamental aspect of Football West’s commitment to fostering healthy club cultures – from players to officials and volunteers to fans,” he said.
“We are pleased to partner with Healthway to ensure our sporting communities are being provided with the highest level of support in developing and sustaining healthier lifestyles and greater mental health.”
Filed Under: Community News