READ THE PLAY ROUND

Read the Play Round is back in 2021 with more than 80 clubs across the Western Region Football League and AFL Barwon set to take part.

The annual round, which is played at under 15 and under 16 level in football and netball, aims to highlight the importance of looking after your mental health, increasing your help seeking behaviors, identifying support services and increasing your knowledge of where to seek help.

One in four young people are impacted by mental illness in any given year and one in three young people with mental health issues don’t seek professional help, with many not knowing what help is available to them.

Read the Play is a unique program that uses young people’s engagement with sport and connection to their local club to deliver important messages that improve mental health literacy and knowledge about where to seek help for mental health problems.

“The Read the Play Round is a great opportunity to highlight the important of looking after mental health to teenagers across the region,” Michael Parker, Read the Play Inc General Manger said.

“We know the vital role sporting clubs play in the lives of young footballers and netballers, and are thrilled with the willingness of clubs and leagues to introduce the Read the Play program for their players.”