LIFELINE Broken Hill and AFL Broken Hill hosted the annual How’s Ya Mate? Round took to the park last weekend.
The effort is an initiative aimed at supporting mental health in sporting communities and the round sought to bring awareness to mental health through training, counselling and discussions that challenge stigmas, while encouraging sportspeople to check in and support their mates.
The annual HYM round saw more than 200 attendees on Friday night and 600 passing through the gates on Saturday.
HYM program coordinator Jacinta Cullen said she was thrilled with the turnout and support.
“The HYM AFL Broken Hill round was truly fantastic, seeing the orange guernseys and HYM socks run out on the field was incredible,” she said.
“We had new HYM tees and hoodies for sale, which were very popular!”
A minute silence was held before kick-off at each game to honour the lives lost to suicide, and Lifeline ambassador Brendan Cullen had conversations with players from each club before their match to encourage them to check-in on one another on and off field.
At Central Football Club, custom orange and black HYM guernseys were auctioned off to raise funds for Lifeline and the How’s Ya Mate program, raising $4770.
Meanwhile, West Football Club management purchased black and orange socks for all their senior players to mark the round.
