Young guns show flair in Great Southern Football League pre-season carnival for mental health
The Great Southern Football League headspace Super Round was well supported by players and spectators at Centennial Stadium on Sunday.
Teams from the sixteens competition were included in this year’s event after the colts held a Super Round for the first time last season.
The initiative helped raise important awareness of mental health and acted as a pre-season carnival for teams before the Great Southern Football League starts this weekend.
Royals, Railways, North Albany, Albany and Mt Barker took part in the pre-season competition that consisted of 15-minute halves, with each team playing at least two games.
The day was used to promote the mental health message among teenagers, and the on-field emphasis was on fun with no scores, goal kickers or best players recorded.
A deserving player from each team received a headspace football jumper at the conclusion of the day, with Lorcan McNamara (Royals), Kobi Doust-Pamplin (Railways), Caleb House (North Albany) and Joley Graham (Albany) the recipients in the colts.
Heath Turnor (Royals), Mitch Geddes (Railways), Flynn Kelleher-Bird (North Albany) and Shane Ugle (Albany) were the recipients in the sixteens.
GSFL director Brett Turpin said the event was a huge success.
“It was a really positive day and the whole event was a massive success,” he said.
“It was an exceptional display both on and off the field.
“At every game you looked around and there was a great following for each team.
“ Having the 16s involved was really important and it was good to see teams lend players to even it up.
“It’s good for the kids and good for coaches, you don’t have to worry about the score and try players in different positions so everyone is valued.
Turpin said the support of headspace Albany is greatly appreciated and the financial contribution from the Fish program.
The GSFL is looking at involving younger grades and possibly the women’s competition in the future.
Headspace Albany manager Andrew Wenzel said he is looking forward to hopefully involving women’s teams in the future.
“Headspace Albany is really pleased to be able to build on our relationship with GSFL to see the Super Round happen on the weekend, it was a great event,” he said.
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