James Murphy
THE light will burn bright for mental health next month when a charity football match takes place at McDonald Park.
The Switch the headspace Match for Mental Health will bring a high-profile list of players together in a charity match for a worthy cause.
The game is set down for February 17 under lights at East Gambier’s home ground and despite humble beginnings, is shaping up to be one of the Limestone Coast sporting events of the year.
What started as an idea between a few mates sparked the creation of an eight-strong committee and from there the momentum grew.
Among those on the committee are Adam Richards, Adam Todd and Matt Roscow, who spoke to The Border Watch this week about the event.
They are joined by Jesse Plunkett, Luke Thomson, Celeste and Shane Raymond and Aaron Davis as the driving forces behind the scenes.
Everything appears to be in order for the day, with all systems go since returning from the Christmas break.
“I think the general outline of everything that has been planned is in place, it is probably just the finer details that we have to go into now,” Todd said.
“It is just about making sure everything runs smoothly on the day and everyone knows what they are doing.”
With only the last few players left to lock in, the match already boasts some impressive names.
Among those are ex-AFL players Dane Swan, Jordan and Brodie Murdoch, Shane Mumford and Leon Davis.
“Luke and Azza (Davis) had the connection of Ricky Nixon who used to be Shane Mumford and Dane Swan’s agent,” Richards said.
“He got in contact with them and they seemed pretty keen.
“Then Leon Davis was the coach of Heywood I believe and Luke knew someone from there who got in contact with him.
“The Murdoch boys are from the Bay and Roscow got in contact with them.
“They are all our pretty big names.”
There are no shortage of local legends either, with former Penola greats Simon Berkefeld and Adam “Hoggett” Merrett, along with North Gambier premiership coach Winis Imbi and father-son trio Tim, James and Jordan Brennan.
North Gambier star and Headspace employee Nick McInerney adds to the deep pool of talent, as do South Gambier icon Brett O’Neill and West Gambier coach Daron “Roo” McElroy.
Playing coaches for the two teams will be Roscow and Thomson, while there will also be plenty of entertainment value in the less experienced names on the list.
Those include the likes of local fishing icon Jamie “Coatsy” Coates and independent Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell.
“No one local hesitated, they were straight onto it as soon as they were asked,” Todd said.
“We had a lot of people put their hands up keen to play, but I think the ones we have selected are good for the cause and will bring a crowd.”
Dan Christian, Don Pratt, Jason Dawe, Jason Dunn, Isaac Raymond, Ben Mules, James and Ben McGregor, Jon Copping, Zack Williams, Laughlin Brooker and Davis himself round out the players announced so far.
When asked if they expected the match to grow into such a prominent event on the calendar, the organisers said they had already been blown away.
“I definitely (didn’t expect it to be) this big,” Todd said.
“I thought maybe it would get a fair bit of attention within all our mutual friends, but it is probably close to say it is the talk of the town now.”
“Especially coming from where it started,” Richards added.
“It started off as just a few mates having a kick and seeing if we can get a few people out to watch.
“Me and Toddy and Jesse (Plunkett) probably started it, then we got Roscow and Luke involved and Celeste and Tazzy (Shane).
“Once we got everyone involved everyone’s ideas expanded it and it just got bigger and bigger.”
The cause hits close to home for those on the committee and likewise the South East community.
“With the situation in the Mount at the moment with suicide and stuff like that, I think it hits pretty close to most people,” Richards said.
“Most of Mount Gambier probably knows someone who has been effected by it, or a family member or relation who has been effected by it.
“It is a pretty important cause for the area.”
The response to the event has been widespread, with people from as far as Port Lincoln and Melbourne travelling to attend.
As its magnitude continues to grow, the scope of how big the day is going to be has started to dawn on those involved.
“Reality is starting to set in that this might be even bigger than Western Border grand final,” Roscow said.
“They say they get 6000 people here for a Western Border grand final and as nervous as it sounds, I think it will probably eclipse that.
“As daunting as it is, it is also a sign we are on the right track.”
The match has always been about more than football, with the priority on raising awareness and encouraging the mantra of “it ain’t weak to speak”.
“It has become more than just a footy game now,” Richards said.
“People who aren’t even interested in footy are coming down for the cause.
“It will hopefully be a bit more of a family day, rather than just a footy game.”
Some bands have been secured for entertainment, while an auction will be held following the match, which will include guernseys and some donated items of value.
All the local mental health services will also have stalls set up to provide information.
“The thing that I find is everyone reiterates is it is such a good cause,” Roscow said.
“We might not directly have people come to talk to us about their mental health, but I think the constant reminder for me is that people are aware of what it is about.
“It is never referred to as just the footy, it is definitely always referred to as the Mental Health Match.
“I think a lot of people are talking about it in that sense and the awareness of the why we are doing it is a big one.”
The community support has already been substantial, with no shortage of sponsors jumping on board.
“I think it really reiterates how good of a community we live in,” Roscow said.
“Even though it is a pretty big town, everyone knows everyone and when something gets going a lot of people get involved.
“People are quick to put their hand in their pocket or give what they can.”
All the funds raised will stay in the region to help support those within the local community.
“All of those proceeds will go to Headspace Mount Gambier,” Richards said.
“We made sure it all stayed in the Mount.”
Gate entry on the day will be a $10 donation, while a gold coin donation will cover those Under 16, with gates open from 4.30pm and the match to start at 6pm.
