Sydney FC and beyondblue will combine to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety with the announcement of a Community Partnership that is very close to the hearts and minds of the Sky Blues players and the football community.
Sydney FC and beyondblue will combine to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety with the announcement of a Community Partnership that is very close to the hearts and minds of the Sky Blues players and the football community.
The showpiece of the Community Partnership will see the A-League-s fiercest rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory play for the beyondblue Cup when they take part in the next instalment of “The Big Blue” at the Sydney Football Stadium on 10 March.
beyondblue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety, and related alcohol and drug issues, and to reduce the associated stigma. More than three million Australians experience depression or anxiety, with men traditionally reluctant to ask for help.
“Sydney FC has partnered with a number of good causes as we put together the Sydney FC Community Program, but the link with beyondblue is an initiative that is very close to the hearts of our players,” said Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton.
“Depression and anxiety are very real issues and as well as raising awareness for the great work beyondblue does, it is also important for the education and well-being of our players. Like everyone in society, depression and anxiety can affect sportsmen with recent high-profile cases highlighting the issue.
“Late last year, the players and coaching staff took part in the Movember campaign to help raise funds and awareness for male depression and this Community Partnership is a continuation of that commitment.
“The Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory game is one of the highest profile matches on the A-League calendar and hopefully we can use the match to highlight to Australian men and their partners that it is okay to seek help for depression and anxiety.”
When it comes to tackling depression and anxiety, neither state borders, political backgrounds nor interstate sporting rivalries prevent people from uniting for the cause. beyondblue Chairman The Hon Jeff Kennett AC, a former Victorian Premier and The Hon Morris Iemma a former NSW Premier are both members of the beyondblue Board and are united in their commitment to raising awareness of these conditions and reducing the associated stigma by supporting the beyondblue Cup.
The Hon Mr Kennett says this is a wonderful community gesture for Sydney FC to partner with us for a beyondblue Cup game. “I would like to thank Sydney FC for assisting us to help people with depression to get help. This is the third major football code to dedicate a game to beyondblue and to raising awareness. We have the AFL, VFL and AFL NT on board, the NRL and now the A-League. Having a beyondblue Cup game is a fantastic way to raise awareness amongst fans and let people know all they have to do is ring our info line (1300 22 4636) to find out where to get help,” he said.
