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Movember Ahead of the Game

Ahead of the Game is a youth mental health program. It teaches players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers how to recognise mental health challenges and know where to get help, build mental fitness and strengthen resilience.
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Footy is at its best when we all have each other’s backs – on and off the field. We believe our love for footy creates an environment that helps young people learn the skills to look after their own wellbeing and support their mates when times are tough. Ahead of the Game gives everyone at the club the tools to recognise mental health challenges, identify when and where to get help, and build resilience to deal with challenges in footy and life.

Ahead of the Game's interactive workshops are free for all youth community clubs (players 12-18 years).

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Who is it for?

Players & Umpires

Ahead of the Game uses footy to help young players and umpires gain the skills and knowledge that underpin mental fitness and resilience.

As part of the program, participants will attend two workshops where they’ll learn how to kick off conversations about mental health and to help a mate out who might be going through a tough time. They’ll also learn how keeping mentally fit can help build resilience on and off the field.

Parents

Ahead of the Game helps parents develop the skills and knowledge they need to understand, recognise and support the mental health and wellbeing of their teenagers.

As part of the program, parents will attend one workshop. The session will help parents gain an understanding of mental health challenges so they become easier to recognise. They’ll also learn how to start conversations about mental health.

Coaches & Volunteers

Ahead of the Game helps coaches and volunteers develop the skills and knowledge they need to understand, recognise and support mental health and wellbeing in their players.

As part of the program, coaches and volunteers will attend one interactive workshop. This session will help participants recognise and understand potential mental health challenges facing young players. They’ll also learn how to start conversations about mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ahead of the Game is a youth mental health program. It teaches players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers how to understand mental health, build mental fitness, and strengthen resilience. The program covers how to recognise mental health challenges, what to do and when to get help. Players learn how to build resilience and overcome challenges in sport and life.

75% of mental health disorders will have emerged before the age of 25. That’s why conversations about mental health and fitness earlier in life are important. Research has shown that organised sport is an effective and important avenue for supporting mental health.

Ahead of the Game is delivered before, during or immediately after a regular training session. We come to you and make having mental health conversations easier.

Players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers will each participate in interactive workshops with their group. A second workshop for players or youth umpires is delivered about a week later. We also provide online tools and info that can be accessed at any time.

AFL and Movember have partnered with 26 local delivery partners who we’ve brought into the Ahead of the Game team. They travel to clubs and deliver the program to their local communities nationally.

If you would like to register, express your interest by clicking below.

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Want to know more?

To find out more about Ahead Of The Game partnering with AFL, click the link below.

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AOTG Delivery Partners