Albany Caledonians’ under-14 Mental Health Match for Beyond Blue raises $4000 and ‘starts a conversation’

Albany Caledonians raised more than $4000 for Beyond Blue after holding a Mental Health Match when their two under-14 soccer sides came head-to-head at North Road last Saturday.

With Albany MLA Scott Leary conducting the coin toss and being introduced to both teams, the contest was given a cup-final atmosphere in front of a host of spectators who came to support the occasion.

Mr Leary and the match officials also led out the teams before forming a circle to remember a friend to many of those playing who recently died by suicide.

Other club sides playing matches that day also joined that ring of support.

The proceedings were organised by the Calies’ Rampant coach Nathan Miller and his wife Dee.

Miller said he felt strongly that young people needed to know there were resources available to help them through depression.

“For our club, especially given that we are honouring a former teammate who tragically died by suicide, a Mental Health Match can be a powerful way to remember him while encouraging others to seek support when they need it,” he said.

“There are options out there for young people — headspace or a helpline — but do they know about them?

“Do they know there are resources, or even that they should check in on a mate?

He was delighted at the sum raised by the match.

“We have raised $4527 thus far, with still some donations to come,” he said.

“The day was a great success, the number of people who turned up was fantastic and I think we did what we aimed to do, and that was to get the conversation started.”

The game featured the Rampant against the Thistle, with the Thistle proving too sharp for their opponents.

Goals from player-of-the-match Asher Craig and two strikes apiece from Isaac Grundy and Theo Wallefeld gave Thistle a 5-0 win.

Lilla Jarzabek was recognised as Rampant’s best player.

Beyond Blue’s Mental Health Match is a community sporting initiative which encourages clubs to dedicate a game to raising mental health awareness.