VFL beyondblue Cup

This Saturday 28^thJuly, the VFL will be supporting a very important event when The Werribee Tigers take on the Box Hill Hawks to defend the VFL beyondblue Cup at Box Hill City Oval. This is the fourth year that Werribee and Box Hill Football Clubs have teamed up with beyondblue to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety, and reduce the associated stigma within the sporting community.

This is the Hawks’ chance to even the score with Werribee who have won the Cup twice in the last three years.

According to the CEO of beyondblue Kate Carnell AO: “The VFL Cup is an extremely important vehicle to help beyondblue reach out to young men who, according to our research, have a one in four chance of experiencing depression, yet are less likely than women to seek help.”
Prior to the game, beyondblue Ambassador and Olympic hurdler, Kyle Van der Kuyp will speak at the President’s Function about his personal experiences of depression, and participating in the Olympics.

Ms Carnell thanked Kyle for his contribution in speaking out about his depression. “It is very brave when someone in the public eye stands up and tells the story of his own illness. It is also very powerful and helps us to raise awareness and demonstrate that help is available.

“The whole concept behind the beyondblue Cup is to continue to raise awareness and promote help seeking around depression and anxiety to this audience of predominately young men. Volunteers will hand out beyondblue wristbands to all those who enter the ground and there will be brochures and other material for people to look through,” she said.

The Werribee Football Club General Manager, Mark Penaluna said: “We are very happy having beyondblue as our community partner and this has been the case for four years. We understand the importance of their message and the work they do in the community especially in the City of Wyndham and we support them in every way we can. The beyondblue Cup is one we like to have in our trophy cabinet at Avalon Airport Oval and we will be endeavouring to have it in our captain Robbie Castello’s hands after the game this Saturday.”

Box Hill Football Club General Manager, Everard Fenton said the Hawks are also excited to be continuing the partnership with beyondblue and to be playing for the beyondblue Cup against Werribee Football Club. “We see strong benefits for people, especially young males, being involved with football clubs to maintain a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. With just one match separating the two teams it will be a vital match for both teams’ Top 4 finals aspirations,” he said.

Event: Annual VFL beyondblue Cup, Box Hill Hawks v Werribee Tigers

Date: Saturday 28 July

Time: Gates open 10.45 am for 2 pm kick off

Location:City Oval, corner Whitehorse and Middleborough Roads, Box Hill