An initiative by the Murwillumbah Colts has helped raise awareness – and more than $5,000 – for leading mental health provider ‘Beyond Blue’.
From a humble Round 13 match between the Under 16s boys sides from the Colts and the Mullumbimby Giants on 3 August came the promise to do more to link the Rugby League community with worthwhile causes.
“It’s definitely something we’d look to do in the future with our senior girls teams as well,” said Tim Booth, President of the Murwillumbah Colts JRLC, and U16s trainer.
“We’d also look to do it with various charities because of the success we’ve had with Beyond Blue.
“It’s the first time we’ve done it – taking up the initiative of Beyond Blue of staging a ‘Mental Health Match’ to raise awareness of what they do and why the work is so important.
“It encourages those conversations that we all need to have at various times.”
Murwillumbah Colts apparel supplier, ISC, was approached for their support.
“They generously agreed to create a one-off strip for us branded with Beyond Blue,” Booth said.
“The 16s boys played in them – our most senior team and it’s our last year with them so we thought that would be special. We sold them at a function after the game and raised a touch over $5,000.”
True Blue Paul Sironen, who now lives in northern NSW, was present to speak to the players from both teams and posed for photographs with them.
The club didn’t stop there. After the weekend game, follow-up sessions with professional welfare officers from The Good Human Factory were held the following Tuesday with boys and girls from Under 11s right up to Under 16s.
“We had 160 kids listen to those and it’s not just zeroing in on mental health, it’s about finding that balance from time to time, when things don’t always go smoothly.”
