By Michael Hillier (QRL Media)
The Queensland Rugby League is proud to highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing during the Hostplus Cup’s Turn to Me Round this weekend.
This initiative, instigated by former Cup players Isaak Ah Mau, Petero Civoniceva and administrator Steve Johnson, is supported by the fundraising efforts of Swich On Inc each year.
All Cup players and match officials will wear blue socks that are a symbol of the round, which will carry extra significance this year following recent tragedies within the rugby league community.
QRL competitions manager David Maiden and QRL South East wellbeing operations manager Dayne Weston joined Wynnum Manly Seagulls players Bailey Hartwig and Epel Kapinias at BMD Kougari Oval today to officially launch the round.
“It just reinforces that rugby league is a community, it’s a family and we need to act as such and support those who need it,” Maiden said.
“And we need to speak to people who we think may not need it. Everybody needs a cuddle … no person should be an island. We need to back each other 100 per cent.”
Former NRL player Weston echoed those sentiments ahead of this weekend’s round.
“The biggest thing for me is talking, just to be able to share and be vulnerable and be okay with not being okay,” Weston said.
“I know it’s cliché, but the more we see people getting vulnerable, especially men, the more we can draw strength from that.”
Players and coaching support staff involved in Cup are encouraged to talk to their club’s wellbeing manager, who lead welfare checks, career guidance and education modules.
At community rugby league level, the QRL wellbeing team is driving its Support Squad – a network of volunteers making a positive difference in community rugby league across Queensland.
Support Squad members are empowered with knowledge, resources and education to help foster strong and rewarding relationships within their local rugby league community.
“When you talk about turning to someone, our participants in community rugby league can turn to their Support Squad person,” Weston said.
“They can reach out to them and go and get help and get advice, because a Support Squad person has the capacity and the capability to guide them through the initial stages.
“Already the program has been very effective in the clubs who have taken it on. We’ve got more than 150 volunteers already throughout the state.
“We’ve got more than 400 clubs across the state so our goal is to make sure every club in Queensland has one.”
Weston believes QRL’s Support Squad program is a game-changer for the rugby league community.
“I honestly believe it’s such a need in our game and we’ve got a unique opportunity here at the QRL to be the first to do this in sport in general, let alone rugby league,” Weston said.
“I think we can be the leaders of that and showcase what we’ve got at a community level as far as wellbeing support goes. I just think this is the beginning of big things to come.”
This weekend is the final round of Cup fixtures before the finals series, which will see the top eight teams striving for a grand final berth at Moreton Daily Stadium on September 24.
