By: Eastern Football League Chief Executive Officer, Phil Murton
Last week marked the fifth year we have celebrated a beyondblue round in the EFL, the issue of mental health being one we know has touched many of our clubs.
Boronia and Ferntree Gully faced off for the beyondblue Cup, two clubs who have been touched by the effects of mental health issues and who have been very supportive of the work of beyondblue over recent times.
Why do we have a partnership with beyondblue? Males make up a large part of the EFL family and statistics show one in eight men will experience depression at some stage in their lives.
Young men in particular are known for being unlikely to acknowledge they may have an issue and seek help.
Our relationship with beyondblue started after a discussion with a club president about a player he knew was really struggling with mental health issues and contemplating suicide, which fortunately didn’t occur.
Identifying education opportunities, but importantly promoting the resources and support networks available was beneficial in helping that young man through a tough time.
At previous beyondblue game functions, we have heard beyondblue ambassadors talk about their, or close family members experiences suffering depression and anxiety, the impact it has on family and friends, and the benefits a correct diagnosis and treatment can bring.
At times, the AFL is criticised for focusing too much on being a cause of social change and forgetting about its core business, football.
While I don’t agree with those beliefs, at local level, with players and volunteers who are ingrained parts of their local communities, we feel it’s our obligation that organisations like the EFL use our reach to promote, educate and support a range of issues likely to affect those involved in our game.
This year, the areas we are focussing on include mental health (beyondblue), gender equity (Be the Change Forum), problem gambling (Love the Game program) and road safety (thanks to Eastlink), along with our continuing associations with the Good Sports program (managing alcohol in clubs) and Sports Chaplaincy Australia (pastoral care).
There’s a large map of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs on the wall of the CEO’s office at EFL House that shows geographically where each of our clubs are located. Over time, when discussing why we are involved with these causes with various people, unfortunately you can point to a significant number of clubs, both at senior and junior level, and highlight how a club has in some way been touched by tragedy.
A sudden death, long term illness, road trauma, the tragic effects of mental health, the list of clubs who have had to manage through these issues and more is unfortunately too long.
If pulling on the blue socks, or seeing the beyondblue information on our website, in our social media feed or in this message helps encourage one person going through a tough time to talk to someone or seek some support, then it’s all worth it.
Footy clubs are great at supporting people in a time of need.
The response over the last three years to Neale Daniher’s inspirational effort to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease research is a perfect example.
We hope we are playing our small part in helping individuals and the community, and thank the broader EFL community for their support in doing so.
