2020 impacted country football in a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic led to 10 of the 25 country league not playing. This led to a research project by the University of WA’s Young Lives Matter initiative in partnership with the WA Country Football League.

The results of the survey of more than 500 footballers we released recently in the Get Around Me report revealing a stark difference in the physical and mental health of those who played compared to those who didn’t.

Professor Sean Hood from the University of Western Australia Young Lives Matter research team and WAFC executive manager of country football Tom Bottrell join us to discuss the partnership with Outside the Locker Room, WA Country Football League and UWA’s Young Lives Matter Foundation.

All country footballers are encouraged to take part in the 2021 Country Football Community Health Check Survey

Find out more about the partnership here

Bush Footy Legends is produced by Magic Studios and presented by the WA Country Football League in partnership with Healthway promoting the Think Mental Health message.

Check on your mate!! It will help. For tips and more info visit thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au

If this episode triggers anything for you, worried about someone, or need some information of support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.