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About

Ahead of the Game uses sport to teach young players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers how to talk about mental health. The program reviews how to recognise mental health challenges facing young players, what to do and when to get help. Players learn how to build resilience and overcome challenges in sport and life. This program is designed to engage the whole local community sport ecosystem. It includes interactive workshops and materials for community teams and their support network of parents, coaches and volunteers.

WHY IT WORKS

Ahead of the Game is based on Movember-funded research. It engages sporting organisations as a way to improve the mental health and resilience of young players.

HOW IT WORKS

Ahead of the Game is delivered at sport training — right where sport teams already are. We come to community clubs and make having mental health conversations easier.

WE USE THE POWER OF SPORT

The program is effective because it uses sport to help participants acquire important skills and knowledge. The program is run at training sessions to engage participants and emphasise lessons that can be taught through sport.

WHEN ARE THE WORKSHOPS HELD?

During regular sport training times. (Usually before, during or immediately after a regular training).

WE ENGAGE PLAYER SUPPORTERS

With programs for young players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers, Ahead of the Game can help young players and their biggest supporters to promote mental health, resilience and wellbeing.

WHO PARTICIPATES?

Young players and umpires, parents, coaches & volunteers will each participate in interactive workshops with their group. Sessions for all groups are run on a single day, with a second workshop for players or youth umpires about a week later. We also provide online tools and info that can be accessed at any time.

WE FOCUS ON PRACTICAL SKILLS

Ahead of the Game targets both mental health literacy and resilience. When combined, these skills can underpin mental health and wellbeing over the decades to come.

ABOUT MOVEMBER

Movember is the leading charity dedicated to changing the face of men’s health around the world. With a singular goal to stop men dying too young, Movember supports the following causes: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Since 2003, the support of more than 5 million participants has funded over 1,200 innovative projects across more than 20 countries.

Learn more about Movember