MELBOURNE will join forces with The Reach Foundation this weekend in its annual 'Round for Reach', highlighting the organisation's work in preventative mental health initiatives.
The club’s connection with Reach runs deep, with club great Jim Stynes co-founding the organisation that works with young Australians in building self-belief.
This year’s campaign is ‘Kick Start Change’ and focuses on changing the mental health game for young people, setting them up with the skills to navigate life’s challenges.
Research shows that 99% of mental health funding goes to crisis and intervention, with only 1% of funding going towards preventing it happening in the first place, something that Reach is looking to change.
The Reach Foundation holds a special place in the heart of Melbourne’s current captain Max Gawn, who looked to Stynes as a mentor when coming up through the ranks of the AFL.
This year, Gawn has continued his ambassadorship with Reach, launching the 2023 'Round for Reach' campaign on Monday alongside Reach’s CEO Fergus Watts.
“The pinnacle of leaders are the facilitators here [at Reach], some of the stuff that they do is quite magical,” Gawn told media on Monday.
“It’s mind blowing to me when you hear the figures – 99% [of funding] goes into to reactive [intervention] compared to what we can do to stop it.
“The connection with me and Jim [Stynes] is strong, was strong and still is strong, and that’s the reason why I do love this, but it’s also what [Reach] does.
“It’s easy to get behind, hopefully we get a lot of people to the ‘G and if you can’t get there, hopefully the funding still comes through because it’s an important part of society now.”
Watts, a former AFL player, was introduced to Reach at just 15 years old, taking part in a workshop facilitated by Stynes and Paul Currie.
He was inspired from this day onwards to continue the life-changing work that Reach does, going on to become the CEO nearly 20 years later.
“Adults like Max, like all of us, are a product of a whole range of small things that have happened in our lives and have helped shaped us,” Watts told media on Monday.
“That’s what the ability to kick start change this weekend is all about.
“It’s about recognising these small moments in young people’s lives that can go on to really shape who we become as adults.
“That’s what we do at Reach, create moments that create a little shift in a young person’s life, to feel better about who are they, feel more confident in who they are and what they do.
“They’re more likely to take advantage of opportunities and then go on and build strong and happy lives.”
Melbourne will celebrate its 'Round for Reach' this Sunday, when it faces Sydney at 3:20pm (AEST).
Fans are encouraged to get down to the MCG and show their support for The Reach Foundation, with tickets found here.
ROUND FOR REACH | DONATE HERE
