Thick & Thin Round returns to #StartTheConvo

Thick and Thin Round is set to return this weekend as the VAFA player-driven initiative aims to continue to help raise awareness of men’s and women’s mental health issues and normalise those concerns by encouraging teammates to start a conversation.

It will be the third year Thick and Thin Round will be held in the VAFA after two successful seasons with more than half of clubs getting involved last year. Home teams taking part will wear navy blue socks and away sides sky blue.

Co-founder and University Blacks midfielder, Simon Hogan, says the support for last year’s Thick and Thin Round was outstanding as clubs understood the need for improved mental health awareness in the VAFA.

“We need to build on last year’s event by getting more clubs involved and increasing mental health discussions at clubs and in the community,” he says.

Thick and Thin partnered with Mental Health Education Group last year in a bid to provide club officials and players with the opportunity to receive a qualification in mental health first aid via a short course.

“The partnership provides clubs and players with a really tangible element to the Thick and Thin Round,” Hogan says.

“Funds raised this year will go directly to supporting this partnership in an effort to improve mental health literacy across the VAFA.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for everyone involved.”

Thick & Thin held their inaugural ‘Pie Night’ last year, with more than 100 VAFA players, partners and family members helping raise over $2000 for men’s mental health training.

Players from all clubs are encouraged to follow Thick and Thin on social media and use the hashtag #StartTheConvo.