Lakers Wellbeing Program

Written by Alicia Azzopardi from the Under 18 Girls Team

In 2017, the Caroline Springs Football club developed the concept for its official Wellbeing
Program with the aim to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all its players,
families and volunteers. This year, we hope to take the next step with this program and begin taking preventative actions in our community.
It’s no secret that young people today face a number of issues and with the growing influence of social media, these issues no longer stop at 3:30 with the school bell, but follow young people into their own homes and bedrooms – areas that only 20 years ago were havens for escaping ridicule and judgment.
The prevalence of drugs and alcohol, depression and anxiety, and suicide are all alarmingly increasing. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 years of age and in 2017, about 75% of people who died by suicide were males and 25% were females.
The aim of our wellbeing program is to put into action what we, as a community, can do to help those struggling. Education and awareness are two of the most important preventative actions that we as a club can take. No one should ever feel as though they have don’t have anyone to talk to which is why the contribution of a football club to these issues is vitally important. It is not the lecturing environment of a school seminar, where most kids would drift off halfway through, but it is a welcoming environment where young people are doing something they love whilst having the support of family, friends, coaches and teammates.
So you might ask why now? The program is all about prevention. We don’t want to wait until something happens before we take action. We want to be proactive not reactive. But most importantly, we have seen issues in neighbouring clubs and how it affects them and we think this is a perfect platform to be proactive and educate our youth. We believe that from this, we can create a culture of respect in our club; respect for each other, respect for opposition and officials, but most importantly respect for one’s self.
We hope that education is the forefront for better, more informed decisions in our youth and that we start taking prevention now.

Our Wellbeing Team

TAYLA BOND:

Mobile: 0438 575 202

Lakers Wellbeing: [email protected]

I have lived in Caroline Springs for 17 years as well as been involved with CSFC for about 14 yrs. In this time, I have worked as an Industry Trainer and Assesser and taught VET courses such as Security 4 & 5 certs, Hospitality and Business Management 4 & 5 certs and First Aid 2 & 3 certs. I also have sat on the WRFL Trainers Committee for 13 years as well as held the position of Secretary for 9 years and still currently. As a Sports Trainer I have worked with many male and female Junior and Senior teams as well as working for multiple under 18 state-level games and AFL international senior games. I have also had the privilege of raising my son who has played Junior and Senior football at CS and who has achieved not only individual success, but has been part of numerous representative teams over the years. So as a parent I have personal experience in dealing with the extreme highs and lows of a football player’s career. My passion and main focus for the last 10 years has been to work closely with the league, AFL Vic and AFL Community to ensure Player Safety and wellbeing on and off the field. I look forward to continuing to move ahead at club and league level to ensure we, as a community, have a better understanding of player safety and welfare on and off the field and have the appropriate resources and support needed to keep up a high standard of care.   

KRISTY O’TOOLE

Mobile  0436 015 011

Lakers Wellbeing: [email protected]

Kristy is looking forward to being a part of the wellbeing team and working with the players and their families. Having lived in Caroline Springs for 13 years and spending the last 8 as the Director at Brookside Preschool, Kristy has a close connection to the community. Two of Kristy and Greg’s girls play at the club. Kristy believes in the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, for the Caroline Springs Football Club this means that our entire community works together to ensure children get to experience a safe and healthy environment. Some players are the children and some players are the role models.

It’s okay, not to be okay. If you ever need to speak to someone, please speak out!

Lakers Wellbeing: [email protected]

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Emergency: 000
Confidential Helpline: 1800 737 732
Mensline: 1300 78 99 78
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277