St Kilda Football Club, in conjunction with the Danny Frawley Centre (DFC), is proud to today launch the third annual Spud’s Game: A Match for Mental Health.

This year’s game, named after St Kilda great Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley, will be played against the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Friday 23 June (Round 15) with an aim to raise record funds for mental health initiatives run through the DFC.

“Since its launch, Spud’s Game has been a crucial driver of funds for community mental health programs run out of the Danny Frawley Centre and we’re honoured to once again continue the important work the Frawleys have started,” St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean said.

“This year, the ask has never been easier - show up to this important game and help us support the incredible work being done as part of Spud’s legacy.

“It will be a special edition of Friday night footy and we’re counting on a big Saints crowd to really pack the stands and rally together.”

Executive Director of the DFC, Kirstan Corben, said Spud’s Game was the biggest opportunity to accelerate the community impact of the centre.

“Over the past two years, Spud’s Game has raised more than $1 million and the impact we have seen has been immediate,” Corben said.

“We know that 2 in 5 Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime. It’s a statistic that affects far too many and too often the conversation starts too late.

“Since opening the doors just over a year ago, the DFC has welcomed 700+ new members, facilitated over 200 programs and engaged more than 8,000 people ranging from secondary students, sports clubs, AFL athletes and corporates. 

“We are so lucky to have the support of the entire AFL community in helping to drive positive mental health outcomes.”

Anita Frawley thanked the sporting community for once again rallying behind this important cause in the name of her late husband.

“This is such an important issue for the community and one that is clearly close to the hearts of our family,” Frawley said.

“Mental illness is far too common in our society, but we know how important early intervention is to help build the skills to better identify and deal with it - that’s what the Danny Frawley Centre is proudly championing.

“For those experiencing mental ill-health, whether that be personally or through a family or friend, please know you are not alone and there is support available to you. We hope this game is sign of that.”

Thanks to its recently confirmed deductible charity status, donations to DFC will help to directly deliver greater community impact through programs and services. All donations exceeding $2 are tax deductible.

To secure your seat at Spud’s Game: A Match for Mental Health, click here.

The journey of the Danny Frawley Centre

+ November 2020: Federal, State and Local funding secured for the building works of the Danny Frawley Centre at RSEA Park.
+ December 2020: Stage 1 construction works commences of the Danny Frawley Centre.
+ March 2021: St Kilda Football Club announce first annual Spud’s Game to raise funds.
+ March 2021: St Kilda and Melbourne play in first-ever Spud’s Game raising over $340,000 for Mental Health Programs to be run out of the DFC.
+ February 2022: Kirstan Corben appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of the Danny Frawley Centre.
+ March 2022: Stage 1 of the Danny Frawley Centre officially opens its doors boasting a new aquatic facility, community classrooms for mental health programs and 1000-seat grandstand.
+ March 2022: Stage 2 works commence at the Danny Frawley Centre with the vision to add a community gym, mindfulness and pilates studios and consulting suites.
+ June 2022: St Kilda and Essendon play in the second annual Spud’s Game which raises over $605,000.
+ September 2022: Danny Frawley Centre launches first ever research project in partnership with Monash University’s Turner Institute into the role of wellbeing among high performance athletes.

+ Year 1 of the DFC delivers:

• 200+ Mental Health & Wellbeing Programs delivered to the community on topics including suicide prevention, race based discrimination, and mental fitness.
• 8,000+ people engaged in programs ranging from secondary students, sports clubs, AFL athletes and corporates. 
• 21,000+ visits from the community to aquatics and recovery centre facilities.
• 700+ members join the centre.

+ May 2023: Construction on Stage 2 of the DFC officially concluded, with the centre now boasting a new community gym, yoga and pilates studios and mental health consulting suites.
+ May 2023: DFC publishes first annual impact report which sees the centre focus its next 12 months on the implementation of DFC Psychology and DFC Mental Fitness Coaching. 
+ June 2023: Danny Frawley Centre recognised as a health promotion charity.