R U OK? Round encourages grass-roots sporting club members to ask R U OK?

Two Western Australian sporting associations, the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association along with Narrogin and Districts Netball Association, held a number of successful R U OK? Rounds across three days in September.

The netball and hockey R U OK? Rounds encouraged and reminded players to be on the ball when it comes to their teammates’ wellbeing and mental health.

Each coach from the associations involved was given a resource pack which included mental-health support materials, a list of crisis and support services, and resources from the ‘Hey Sport, R U OK?’ campaign.

Rodney Johnson, a representative from the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association said, “Sporting clubs are a way that people connect with others and feel valued in their community – it is then imperative that members of those sporting clubs can identify if a team mate is struggling, have the knowledge and skill set to ask ‘Are you OK?’, and then know what to say if the answer is ‘No, I’m not OK’.”

When asked about the role of coaches in a player’s life, Johnson said, “A coach plays a very important role in the life of their players – not only on the field or court, but often they are seen as a mentor or role model for players. This gives them the perfect opportunity to give advice, reassurance and support to their players if they are feeling overwhelmed or not travelling that well.”

To show support for the R U OK? message, many players wore something yellow, while the junior teams created posters outlining what the R U OK? message meant to them and identifying ways they could support their teammates.

“We conducted three raffles over the three days and raised $1,131 for the R U OK? organisation. Asking R U OK? can make a massive difference in someone’s life, in fact, it can potentially save someone’s life”, said Johnson.

‘Hey Sport, R U OK?’ is a campaign to benefit all participants, officials, administrators and supporters across the grassroots sporting community. Learn more and download campaign resources at www.ruok.org.au/sport