A new program developed by the University of Wollongong has partnered with Football South Coast with the aim of improving mental health problems in adolescent players.
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The project, known as ‘Ahead Of The Game’, hopes to improve tools and resources for young males between the age of 12 and 17 years of age to assist with mental health education.
The University of Wollongong’s research team has spent the last year developing resources and plan to use the next 12-months to roll out programs in the Illawarra.
“We are looking to do a very in-depth examination of the programs we have developed and the extent with which they have actual impact with not just adolescents but also within parents, coaches and the club environment,” University of Wollongong researcher Christian Swann said.
“Because of that we are hoping to see great benefits.”
“It is fantastic for us to have Football South Coast on-board because they have such a huge registration of players on clubs across this region.”
When Football South Coast were approached about the program by the University of Wollongong, chief executive Ann-Marie Balliana immediately saw the benefits.
“I think we have 2500 players in that age bracket so the benefits of the program was something we wanted to jump on straight away,” she said.
Balliana added that the program will tie-in to Football South Coast’s newly created player welfare department for the upcoming season.
