Rugby league is often seen as one of the toughest sports in the world… it’s brutal, demanding and uncompromising.

But, that’s not to say the players handle difficult situations away from the field in the same manner.

Like most people, they struggle with interest rate rises, relationships and the cost-of-living crisis, for example.

So, who can those part-time sportsmen and women turn to when times get hard?

That’s the question South Newcastle Lions president Steve Young asked himself.

His solution was to partner the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (NEWRL) club with Lifeline Hunter to ensure the organisation met the needs of their troops, male or female.

And, this weekend, the two will join forces again to raise awareness for mental health at Townson Oval on Saturday 31 August when Souths tackle the Cessnock Goannas in the final round before the 2024 play-offs.

The Lions, sitting comfortably in the top two, are set to don specially-designed Lifeline socks, while the charity uses the opportunity to promote its services and host a raffle with fantastic prizes available.

“It’s our second collaboration together,” Young said.

“We wanted to pioneer and be the first within the ranks of the Denton Engineering Cup to tackle the issue head-on.

“If I’m being honest, we had a few players who needed some assistance.

“So, once we put the concept out there, they immediately jumped on board.

“It’s now become an annual event within the club.

“It is more than a token day… it’s really important we recognise mental health and, particularly for footballers with that beefy attitude, we need to break that stereotype.”

Young admitted the rise in youth suicide meant sporting groups could no longer turn a blind eye to the problem.

“I think it [mental health] has become high on the agenda,” he said.

“When I played football, there was nothing like it 35-40 years ago.

“However, the world changes and for the better.

“I reached out to Lifeline because there’s a Newcastle chapter.

“It’s important it stays in the confines of the city; it’s not an Australia-based initiative.

“Lifeline Hunter community development manager Pat Calabria’s been fantastic to deal with.

“He had a chat to the boys, who were very receptive.

“It’s great now that blokes can get together with their mates, sit down, have a beer and talk stuff out.

“But, we’re not just wearing socks and going we’ve done our job.

“We have also sent some of our guys through a course and, to their credit, they put their hands up for that.

“It shows they’re serious about it, too.

“They can identify anyone who might be having an issue.

“For instance, what if someone sat next to you and said I’m not okay… what would you do?

“The course, via Lifeline, was to recognise and react to that, what to say, how to talk them through the situation.”

It is more than a token day… it’s really important we recognise mental health and, particularly for footballers with that beefy attitude, we need to break that stereotype.

Steve Young

After staging Sleapy’s Day earlier in the month, Young said Souths were keen to be seen as a proactive organisation.

“We want to set that standard of being a club that’s recognised for all sorts of things,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“Obviously, supporting Sleapy’s Foundation is a priority on our agenda.

“As president, I’d like us to be known as a community-based club.

“We even have a pastor (Steve Taylor) here.

“I don’t know how many NEWRL clubs can say that.

“Not everyone’s a religious person, I understand that, however it’s more about having someone to talk to.

“Steve’s here all the time and a vital cog at the Lions.

“Little things like that make a big difference.

“You never know anyone’s (back) story… or if they’ve had trouble with mental health or a family member has.

“So, if they come to this club, they’ll know we’ll look after them.

“It’s not just putting jumpers on blokes and going out to play footy.

“We want them to be aware we’re there to support them.

“It would be fantastic if other NEWRL clubs did something similar.

“At the end of the day, it’s up to them but we just want to make sure we do it… and do it well.”

Sadly, nine Australians die every day by suicide and more than 65,000 attempt to take their own life annually.

That’s why Calabria’s thrilled to team up with Souths to spread a crucial message even further.

“They’ve really embraced mental health in the club and across all their varying age groups,” he said.

“So, the partnership’s been an honour from our side of things.

“They’re telling people what Lifeline is, what we’re there for and our services available to people in the community.

“This isn’t just about winning games; the good thing here is they’re looking out for each other.

“And, identifying the signs, especially after COVID, is essential.

“Hopefully, people are more comfortable to ask if we’re okay and we’re better prepared to respond, particularly with RUOK Day approaching soon.

“With sportspeople, there’s always the perception ‘I’ve got to be tough on the paddock’.

“Sometimes, the best way is to be strong for your mates.

“That’s something we’ve worked heavily on with the guys around the club for the past couple of years.

“We want to continue moving forward and look out for each other.

“It’s fantastic the Lions will wear the socks this weekend and we’ll be here to speak to anyone about Lifeline’s services.

“We offer several things including crisis support, individual advice, suicide prevention training and face-to-face counselling at zero cost.

“That can be pretty handy, having someone to talk to, specifically with many residents dealing with cost-of-living and financial stress on a daily basis.”

If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 Yarn on 13 92 76.

Lifeline support

• 24-hour crisis support: Telephone: 13 11 14 l Text: 0477 13 11 14 l Chat online: www.lifeline.org.au
• Face-to-face and video counselling bookings: 1300 152 854
• Local resources, training and bereavement support – hunter.lifeline.org.au.

Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (NEWRL)

Denton Engineering Cup

Round 18 results:

• South Newcastle Lions d Northern Hawks 34-6
• Maitland Pickers d Lakes United Seagulls 56-16
• Western Suburbs Rosellas d Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 64-16
• Wyong Roos d Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 34-22
• The Entrance Tigers d Macquarie Scorpions 70-0
• Bye: Cessnock Goannas

Round 12 deferred draw:

Saturday 31 August

• 2pm: The Entrance Tigers v Wyong Roos (EDSACC Oval)
• 2pm: South Newcastle Lions v Cessnock Goannas (Townson Oval)
• 3pm: Western Suburbs Rosellas v Lakes United Seagulls (Harker Oval)
• 7.30pm: Central Newcastle Butcher Boys v Northern Hawks (St John Oval)
• Forfeit: Macquarie Scorpions v Maitland Pickers
• Bye: Kurri Kurri Bulldogs

For more community stories:

• Birubi Point life-saving initiative big winner on state stage
• Mining and Knights ‘Heart of the Hunter’
• It’s important to preserve local league history, says Buderus

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