Valley Sport have recently secured $10,000 from the Australia Post Community Grants Program. This money will go towards the Regional Sporting Assemblies On The Front Foot project, which emphasises positive mental health initiatives within community sporting organisations.
On the Front Foot – Staying ahead of the game, providing positive mental health initiatives for community sporting clubs.
Valley Sport’s “On the Front Foot” project recognises the significant role sport plays in resilience building and connecting rural and regional communities – especially in a time where the Goulburn Valley has been affected by the COVID19 pandemic as well in some areas, the recent summer bush fires.
This project aims to connect the sporting community with local community mental health services, helping define clear and consistent referral support pathways for players, members and volunteers alike. In partnership with local community mental health providers, Valley Sport will work to break down barriers by offering workshops and a platform to promote positive mental health messaging and referral pathways in sport, ensuring early intervention is front of mind.
Sporting clubs are an important hub in rural and regional communities and provide a safe space for community members to gather. During this unprecedented time we have seen many restrictions placed upon community sport. This has caused the cancellation of many competitions with the impact being significant on rural and regional communities. From a social connection and mental health well-being front, to that of an economic crisis, the overall challenges and therefore forced social responsibility on community sport is becoming too much for some.
David Quinn, Executive Officer “Valley Sport regularly work on the ground with local partner organisations to deliver a range of services to the sporting community. The On the Front Foot project will be no different, leveraging our local connection to community to develop strong mental health support pathways for community sporting people. Through one on one conversations, whole of sport workshops OR individual club support, Valley Sport will work to promote and provide mental health support to its sporting community. Having a range of referral pathways in place, Valley Sport will tailor its support approach pending the individuals or club’s needs”.