Ahead of the Game

The program includes content on how to recognise mental health disorders, what to do and when to get help. Athletes learn how to build resilience and overcome challenges in sport and life. The program has undergone a large controlled trial and is currently being evaluated in a second, large randomised controlled trial. The program has been translated and scaled up across the globe, including as the official program of the Rugby League World Cup, 2021. 

• Sports psychologist Dr Stewart Vella from the Early Start Research Institute has found sport plays a huge part in mental health, Illawarra Mercury (17/11/15)
• After the game, UOW Stand 
• Mental Health Now An Issue In Australian Sport, The Huffington Post (10/10/15)
• Uni researcher takes a mo to help out, Illawarra Mercury (28/10/14)
• Sporting moustaches for vital mental health research, Health Canal (27/10/14)
• Movember donates $2m to UOW sport study, Illawarra Mercury (10/10/14)

The project brings together researchers from across disciplines, government agencies and Australia’s top sporting organisations. Some of Australia’s top sporting organisations will work with the researchers to help implement the mental health initiative into their clubs across the nation, including the AFL, Basketball Australia, Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Football Federation Australia and Tennis Australia.

• Dr Stewart Vella 
• Professor Frank Deane 
• Matthew Schweickle
• Caitlin Liddelow

The project will also encompass the expertise of the Black Dog Institute, which focuses on the prevention and treatment of mood disorders; the Australian Sports Commission; and the Australian Drug Foundation’s Good Sports Program, which provides free support to sporting clubs to change their culture and reduce high risk drinking. 

This project is working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals: