Brendan Neil wins Tackle Your Feelings Community Champion award for VIC

The VAFA is proud to announce that Brendan Neil, Wellbeing Coordinator at Mazenod OCFC, has been named the Tackle Your Feelings (TYF) Community Champion for the State of Victoria. 

Brendan’s leadership, dedication, and passion for mental health and wellbeing have transformed the culture at Mazenod OCFC for over four years. As Wellbeing Coordinator, Brendan has worked tirelessly with other committee members to ensure that the wellbeing of players, coaches, and volunteers is at the heart of the club’s operations.  

One of his most significant achievements has been building a strong network of more than 25 trained Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Officers across the Men’s, Women’s, and FIDA programs. This initiative ensures that every member of the Mazenod community has access to trained support and trusted touchpoints when they need it most. In addition to his role as Wellbeing Coordinator, Brendan leads the club’s Wellbeing Committee, made up of 7–8 players from both the Men’s and Women’s programs who are also trained Mental Health First Aid Officers. Together, they deliver initiatives that support not only the playing group but the entire Mazenod OCFC community. 

The value of this network was seen when the club rallied after a tragic accident involving one of its players overseas. Thanks to Brendan’s proactive leadership, members were able to lean on MHFA Officers for one-on-one support, conversations, and guidance during a deeply challenging time. 

Brendan has also embedded the Tackle Your Feelings program into the fabric of Mazenod OCFC, making it a regular feature across all teams. In 2025, a dedicated session on anxiety was delivered to the Men’s and Women’s programs, receiving outstanding feedback and creating further space for open conversations about mental health. 

Under Brendan’s guidance, initiatives such as Thursday night dinners have become powerful platforms for connection, reflection, and community wellbeing. Looking ahead, he is working with the club’s leadership to introduce off-season wellbeing resources, including podcasts and articles, ensuring members stay connected even when footy takes a break. 

Brendan’s passion and vision have created an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers individuals and strengthens the broader club community. His recognition as Victoria’s TYF Community Champion is a testament to the meaningful and lasting impact he has made. 

On behalf of the VAFA, we congratulate Brendan on this outstanding achievement and thank him for his unwavering commitment to championing wellbeing in community sport.