Football West is delighted to announce the first appointment to its Football Futures Foundation charitable organisation.
AFL Players’ Association Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing Brent Hedley will become the Foundation’s inaugural Executive Officer. He will take up the role in September.
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“These are exciting times in football, both in WA and Australia,” Mr Hedley said.
“The Foundation will drive social change through inclusive and accessible football programs. This is a vision that I’m very excited to lead.
“I’ve been fortunate to work across education, health, community services and sporting landscapes over the past 15 years. These experiences, relationships and skills complement the requirements of this new role.
“I have a passion for meeting and supporting the needs of people from diverse and priority backgrounds. Inclusive and accessible football programs and services are an incredible platform for this.
“My role at the AFLPA has seen me hold the responsibility of servicing and advocating for the needs of current and past elite athletes. This position has provided me with a unique insight into the important role that sport plays in the community. I consider sport to be the social glue within many of our Australian communities. I’m committed to actualising its capacity to deliver meaningful outcomes for those in most need.”
Expanding on his past six years with the AFL Players’ Association, Mr Hedley said: “We leveraged the profile Australian rules football and its players to increase awareness of mental health and wellbeing. Normalising the discussion and promoting help-seeking behaviours within the community has been central to this approach.
“Most would agree that there’s definitely a lot more awareness in the community today than say five years ago, which is terrific. The importance of role-modelling and peer support is clear. There’s no doubt that elite athletes have been strong contributors to a movement.”
Mr Hedley added: “I’ve been fortunate to travel to many parts of the world and witness the power of football.
“My personal experiences using football as a medium for social connection and educational outcomes with young people in places such as Turkey, Central and South America made a strong impression upon me. It is a world language.
“I also have two young boys, five and seven, who love sport and have a passion for football in particular.
“After 10 years in Victoria, our family relocated back home to Perth 18 months ago. This role provides me with the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me.
“I am also thrilled to work alongside Foundation Chairman Nick Tana and Football West CEO James Curtis and his team."
Football Futures Foundation was launched earlier this year. It will support, mentor and invest in people from diverse and priority backgrounds through football. These people include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and those disadvantaged through economic, cultural, social, health or educational factors.
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