Juniors at Point Cook Football Club will soon learn how to maintain their mental health as well as improving their football skills, thanks to a new grant.
The WFNL club is among 150 clubs, organisations and community groups across the country who have received $2,000 from Australia Post through its annual People of Post grants program.
Point Cook president Ivo Havard said the club applied for a People of the Post grant to fund a mental health education project for its junior players.
“It’s nice to get and clearly aligns with our mental health education program which take very seriously at the Point Cook footy club,” Mr Havard said.
The grant will fund a series of education sessions for players aged 14 to 16 conducted by sport mental health charity Outside the Locker Room.
“It’s a key age for the education to commence and the program will be tailored for the age group,” said Mr Havard.
“With our large junior program, we want to make sure we’re covering all age groups across the club and any mental health education, particularly at a young age, is going to be worthwhile in preparing them for the future.”
The sessions will be held at the club next month and will take place instead of normal footy training.
Mr Havard said with mental health such a big issue in the community, it was appropriate for it take precedence.
“It’s prevalent, it’s real and it’s happening and we want to be on the front foot on it,” he said.
“We want to be known as a good educator as well as a good footy club.”
Cade Lucas.
