Education, action and awareness leading into Mental Health Round on 28 June

The Nambour & Hinterland Blues AFL Club are proud to continue their commitment to community wellbeing by delivering mental health and leadership workshops in the lead-up to their official inaugural Mental Health Round on Saturday 28 June 2025.

This Thursday, 5 June, all senior players will participate in mental health and leadership & culture education sessions facilitated by the Brisbane Lions and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) – a mental wellbeing program supporting sporting clubs across Australia.

The sessions are designed to build understanding of mental health challenges, develop leadership within the playing group, and promote a strong, supportive club culture. Players will gain tools to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health, and how to support their teammates on and off the field.

“We’re more than a football club – we’re a community,” said Club President, Bruce Bell. “These workshops are about ensuring that every person in our club feels safe, supported and part of something bigger.”

The education sessions come ahead of the Blues’ Mental Health Round on 28 June, where the club will host the Caloundra Panthers and Pine Rivers Swans in a day dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Beyond Blue, one of Australia’s leading mental health organisations. The round will include raffles, activities and conversations designed to break the stigma and encourage help-seeking.

As former AFL player, Tom Boyd said at Spuds Game in Round 9 of the AFL, checking in on your mates should be a non-negotiable, it’s the one-percenters in footy that make the difference — and it’s the same when it comes to mental health.

The Blues invite the wider community to attend the match day, support Beyond Blue, and join the conversation.