Movember Ahead of the Game reaches over 100,000 participants
It started in one humble community team locker room. But today, Movember Ahead of the Game has a delivery roll call of over 100,000 participants across seven countries; including over 24,000 right here in Australia. Each participant playing their part to change how young athletes and the teams around them acknowledge mental health challenges and learn the steps to take to tackle them in sport and life.
Taking on mental health like a team sport
If you haven’t heard by now, Movember Ahead of the Game is one of Movember’s youth sports mental fitness and resilience programs. Young athletes aged 12-18 are the focus; with coaches, team volunteers, parents and carers also having tailored workshops delivered to them. The program is designed to bring the ecosystem and community around young players into the conversation. Young players learn how to look after their own mental fitness and have their teammates' backs when things get tough. Coaches, volunteers, parents, and carers build skills to spot the signs of mental health challenges, the confidence to check in and know exactly where to turn for help when young people need it most.
Here’s the real win
The impact of Movember Ahead of the Game stretches far beyond the locker room. When more young men and boys feel supported – and confident asking for support – communities benefit. Thanks to the sporting clubs, funding partners, community organisations and our global Mo Community.Together, we are creating a generational shift in how mental health is talked about within sports – and beyond.
“We’re meeting young people where they already are in an environment where they feel safe. They’re around teammates, coaches, families that they trust and connect with. We can help them build their mental health literacy skills in those safe environments and I think the other benefit that the program brings is that it promotes club culture within those community clubs.” – Molly Eastman, Movember Ahead of the Game Facilitator, Australia
To learn more about the program and how to get involved visit aheadofthegame.movember.com