GAME FOR A GOOD CAUSE
High school students from around the Townsville Diocese will come together during Queensland Mental Health Week this week to raise awareness for mental health matters while having fun at the same time.
Staff and students from Southern Cross Catholic College will launch the inaugural Rugby League 9s Bishop Michael Putney Fellowship Shield, to be played at the Bindal Sports Ground this Friday.
The competition aims to break down barriers and encourage students to discuss wellbeing and mental health.
Organiser and Southern Cross Catholic College teacher Annan Whittington said the concept was spearheaded by students, and funds raised would go towards the Bishop Michael Putney Fellowship.
“Mental health and wellbeing is something I have always been passionate about through my own struggles and losing friends and family, and it is one of the driving influences of why I coach youth sport,” Mr Whittington said.
“I believe we can use sport and an active lifestyle to drive change and promote wellbeing and speaking up with the young men at Southern Cross and throughout the whole region.
“Playing rugby league 9s socially is great for school students, as they are making positive connections with teammates and students from other schools, building resilience and getting a high level of physical exercise, which all leads to a positive mindset.
“This is the inaugural event and I hope that it grows in years to come, with more and more schools being involved.”
Members of the North Queensland Cowboys development team, QRL mental health and wellbeing manager Rob Hall and representatives from the Bishop Michael Putney Fellowship, including NRL Premiership winner Brent Tate, are set to attend the carnival to mingle with players and spectators.
Southern Cross Catholic College school captain Jeremy Cordery, 16, said he didn’t usually play rugby league but would take to the field with his teammates for this carnival.
“This year our school’s theme is ‘attitude of gratitude’, and I think intertwining mental health and gathering together a bunch of players is really good, as it plays well together with our theme,” he said.
“It gets lots of different groups from around the diocese and encourages them to play together.”
Bishop Michael Putney Fellowship committee member Rob Peel said the carnival aimed to raise funds and awareness for mental health research
“We were really happy to get on board with the event,” he said.
“Awareness is probably the most important thing – making sure we’re having the right conversations and that we’re willing to have the conversations. We’ll be talking with all the kids down there and letting them know it’s OK to talk. Someone will always be there.
“Hopefully it’s the first of many to come.”
Gates open from 3.30pm this Friday, with the first game kicking off at 4.15pm. Gold coin entry with a barbecue and raffles throughout the event.