AFL star player, coach at forum

Former star AFL player, coach and media personality Paul Roos will be guest speaker at a Horsham Healthy Minds forum on May 23.

Roos will join Monash University Associate Professor Craig Hassed at the ‘The Secret of Sporting Success’ forum at Horsham Town Hall.

Roos will talk about his sporting career with Fitzroy, Sydney and Melbourne, but also share his philosophy on coaching and how to get the best from a playing group by managing stress.

Horsham Healthy Minds, which provides opportunities for people to gain insight into depression and other mental-health issues, organises annual events and forums.

It also advocates for a need of greater understanding of mental health.

This year, Horsham Healthy Minds is working with district sporting groups, in particular Wimmera and Horsham District football leagues.

This direction of exploration is based on AFL clubs Sydney and Richmond demonstrating the benefits of a ‘simple mindfulness meditation’ practice and how it can affect sporting performance and quality of life.

Horsham Healthy Minds spokesman Gavin Morrow said sporting teams were always looking for an edge over competitors and Roos would share how he achieved this at the highest level.

He said the direction had provided advantages on the field but critically, also in players’ personal lives.

Professor Hassed, who has spoken at several previous Horsham Healthy Minds forums, will join Roos and explain the science behind the methodology. “Opportunities such as this do not come along often,” Mr Morrow said.

“We are lucky to be able to get someone of Paul’s calibre to the Wimmera.

“We encourage everyone to promote this with sporting players, coaches and supporters alike because this will be beneficial to everyone.”

The forum will be from 7pm, with a 7.30pm start, and costs $10 a head for reserved seating. People can book at Horsham Town Hall.

The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM are among supporters of Horsham Healthy Minds.