Tackle Your Feelings 2022

The WRSA will again partner with the Tackle Your Feelings (TYF) program to make mental health training available to community coaches, in 2022.

Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health training program for community AFL coaches, as well as committee members and other club support staff.

The program is delivered by a local psychologist and aims to help participants gain the tools to Understand, Recognise and Respond to signs of mental ill-health in their players.

In 2021, the program was delivered to more than 4000 community coaches from 352 clubs across every Australian state and territory, including three local clubs associated with WRSA. Congratulations to Stawell Swifts, Minyip/Murtoa and Navarre Football/Netball clubs for participating in 2021.

The 2021 season was again a strange season with the impacts of Covid-19 still being felt, however we were able to get out to three local clubs to deliver the TYF to their coaches. Minyip/Murtoa Football Netball Club Scott Arnold was full of praise for the program. “This was a fantastic program that really helped all coaches take notice of everything that was happening around them and not just what was happening on the football field or netball courts. It was a safe space that everyone could share their own experiences to help others through their journey.” Navarre Secretary Luke Bibby also was very positive about the TYF Program. “It came around at a perfect time for us, knowing what a lot were going through with lockdowns and everything associated with those, the TYF program certainly gave us a great insight of how to help those out who maybe feeling a little bit off.”

The program was inspired by mental health education developed for AFL professional coaches and players, consisting of a face-to-face presentation from a local psychologist and additional online learning.
Tackle Your Feelings ambassadors Leon Cameron, Alastair Clarkson, Nathan Buckley, Neville Jetta, Kara Antonio and Dylan Buckley also feature throughout the video content within the program.

Tackle Your Feelings is a free program and is available to your club in 2022.
The WRSA will facilitate Tackle Your Feelings sessions throughout the shires of Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack, West Wimmera and Hindmarsh during the 2022 football season and we encourage your club/league to participate.

Once coaches complete the training (workshop and online modules) they will have access to resources including blogs, podcasts and videos to assist with their ongoing learning. Participating clubs are eligible for the Tackle Your Feelings rewards program, which includes footballs, equipment and access to program ambassadors.
If your club/league wishes to get involved please register your interest by filling in the below form or contacting Nic Baird on 5382 4599 or nicb@wrsa.org.au