Rochdale’s key role in EFL Day of Action

ROCHDALE AFC and Dale In The Community Sports Trust were proud to support the EFL Day Of Action this week.

Coaches from the Trust led a session attended by members of the Get Set To Go football group, who come from the charity Rochdale Mind.

They provide mental health services for people living in the Borough of Rochdale, and those who attend the weekly football sessions at the Soccer Factory all suffer from mental health issues.

One of those is Tom Morris, who has been attending the sessions for over two years.

He suffers from schizophrenia, but says the sessions help to take the edge off his condition.

“We play on a five or six-a-side basis to give people respite from the mental health issues that they may have,” he said.

“I find football takes the edge off my mental health.

“Mixing with people who have the same sorts of issues and difficulties, and Get Set To Go and Rochdale Football Club have helped me with that over the past ten years.”

The football team is raising the awareness of the significant part football and other sports can have in tackling mental health issues and physical inactivity.

The group’s profile and the project is helping to tackle stigma and discrimination within all levels of the game and other sports, enabling football players and other sports people at all levels to talk more openly about their mental health.

“I’d recommend it to anybody that can stand, walk and kick a ball.

“We have different age levels and abilities here, but that doesn’t stop somebody from coming to the group.

“In fact, it makes people want to play harder because they don’t like the young ones catching up with them, like me!”

All 72 EFL Clubs came together on the same day for the EFL’s Day of Action to demonstrate the positive impact football can have in changing young people’s lives.

EFL Chairman, Ian Lenagan said: “Football continues to support its communities seven days a week, 365 days a year through our unique network of Club community trusts.

“Bringing all 72 together on one day for the EFL Day of Action highlights the special role the EFL has in society and our collective ability to make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of millions of people.”