Target group: Junior footballers and netballers in AFL Barwon and the Western Region Football League
Focus areas: Mental health literacy and help-seeking skills
The Geelong Cats’ support of the Read the Play program continues in 2022. The program was founded in Geelong and is delivered to all junior footballers and netballers at under 15 level in AFL Barwon, and has recently expanded to other junior age groups. It aims to provide participants in local clubs with a greater understanding and awareness of mental health, and where to seek help. It also establishes a Player Wellbeing Officer at each AFL Barwon club. A recent independent evaluation of the Read the Play program, conducted by Deakin University’s Centre for Drug use, Addictive and Anti-social behaviour Research (CEDAAR) found a marked increase in the mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviours of young people who had been through the program.
Ambassadors: Mark Blicavs, Mark O’Connor, Claudia Gunjaca
This is a partnership program with Read the Play
For further information, please contact: https://www.readtheplay.org.au/contact/