Headspace colts super round raises important awareness around mental health and marks the return of football in the Great Southern

The inaugural headspace Albany colts super round produced a great spectacle and was well supported by clubs and fans at Centennial Stadium on Sunday. The initiative helped raise important awareness around mental health and acted as a pre-season competition for colts teams before the Great Southern Football League starts next month. Royals, Railways, North Albany, Albany and a combined Mt Barker and Denmark-Walpole team took part in the pre-season carnival that consisted of 15-minute halves with each team playing at least two games. The day was used to promote the mental health message among teenagers and the on-field emphasis was on fun with with no scores, goal kickers or best players recorded. All players wore special green headspace socks to mark the occasion. A deserving player from each team received a headspace football jumper at the conclusion of the day, with Tyreice Brown (Royals), Toby Brown (Railways), Heath Spinks (North Albany), Jackson Cosh (Albany) and Kyle Smith (Mt Barker-Denmark-Walpole) the recipients. GSFL director Brett Turpin said the day was about getting young men to check up on their mates and ask for help if they need it. “Everyone at the GSFL is pretty chuffed with how the day went and the support that was showed,” he said. “At every game you looked around and there was a great following for each team. “All the kids really enjoyed the day and it was good that they were able to compete against other teams and have a look at them before the season. “Headspace were really happy with the day and said we couldn’t have done much more to improve it.” Headspace Albany manager Andrew Wenzel said the super round was well received. “We are absolutely stoked with the day, just to see all the young fellas wearing their green socks was fantastic,” he said. “All playing footy for what it’s about, just being here with your mates and getting back on the field. “I’m really thankful for the GSFL in supporting headspace and mental wellness of young men and women through the colts comp.” Turpin said the carnival would be held next year before the season and would possibly include 16s teams and move to a late afternoon-night timeslot.