In an AFL first, St Kilda Football Club, in partnership with Movember, will this week launch its first phase rollout of the Ahead of the Game mental health program.

St Kilda’s delivery of Ahead of the Game, which is being funded through donations raised through the inaugural Spud’s Game, is one of Movember’s most successful mental health resilience programs. It aims to improve mental health, in particular young men involved in organised sport, while also engaging with the broader sporting community.

Of eleven programs to prevent mental health problems studied by the AFL in conjunction with Orygen, Ahead of the Game was one of only two green lit as showing emerging evidence.

Australia Country Director of Movember Rachel Carr said Ahead of the Game is designed to teach mental health literacy and resilience to young athletes, their coaches and parents.

“By involving the whole community we’re able to create a supportive environment for these young players, improving their overall understanding of mental health problems while giving reassurance it’s no longer something they have to deal with alone,” Carr said.

“Exploring mental fitness and resilience not only helps them be better athletes but has the potential to increase their ability to bounce back when things get tough off the field. 

“It’s an incredible way to honour the legacy of Danny Frawley, who was a pioneer for starting important conversations about mental health in the AFL community.”

St Kilda General Manager of Marketing and Community Engagement Calzak Bowen echoed Carr’s sentiments, saying Ahead of the Game is just the first of many initiatives to be launched as part of the Danny Frawley Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing suite of programs.

“We are thrilled to now be at a stage where we can take this program out to community and have these tough but extremely important conversations,” Bowen said.

“Our hope is that by giving young athletes tools to not only combat mental ill-health in themselves, but also ways to look after their friends, we will be able to build a more resilient community and drive positive mental health outcomes. 

“This is particularly pertinent in young male athletes who historically have struggled to open up.”

Mt Eliza Junior Football Committee Member Kate Ross knows this firsthand and said she cannot wait to have the program at her club.

“We are really looking forward to our upcoming sessions for our U16 & 17 Boys teams. The offer to be part of the program could not have come at a better time for our group,” Ross said.

“Unfortunately, several of the U17 boys recently lost a friend to depression and suicide. 

“We have a huge opportunity through sport to give these kids and broader group another outlet and avenue to talk about mental health issues.

“As coaches and parents, we are always open to learning and exploring different ways to help all our players both mentally and physically."

The first phase of the Ahead of the Game rollout will engage 20 local sporting teams between July and November.  

Crisis support can be found at Lifeline (13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au).