Looking after each other’s back – that’s the simple but very powerful message that the Somerville Football Netball Club is driving home to its members and supporters this season.

The Eagles have taken the great step of engaging Break The Cycle – a local self-funded organisation to talk about the impact of addictions, such as alcohol and drugs, on the mental health of both the addicts and their support groups.

Somerville Football Club President Rohan Marriot was a proud man as he explained the first presentation from Break The Cycle had attracted strong numbers at the club’s Jones Road facility on Wednesday night.

“We’re a club that wants to be pro-active, both on and off the field, and Wednesday night was a great example of that with more than 80 people in attendance,” Marriot said.

“We want to build a strong culture, with strong leadership and a family feeling around the club, and this involvement with Break The Cycle is a big step in that direction. We’ve always talked about doing something like this and it feels good to have a plan in place that we can follow moving forward.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about looking after each other’s back.”

Marriot was also pleased to announce the appointment of Shaun Gledhill – a past president, playing life-member, trainer and coach – as the Somerville Football Netball Club Welfare Officer. Marriot ran the idea by senior coach Brad Canavan before making the appointment.

“The club wants to continue to build on the foundations we laid last year and, after discussions with Brad, we decided to appoint a Club Welfare Officer to assist players, netballers, members and supporters, right across the board,” Marriot said.

“As committee members, we all like to help, but we’re not professionals in that area of expertise, so to have people around the club that can address issues and help our members work through certain problems is pretty comforting.

“Shaun will have more of a presence around the playing group this year and, with Break The Cycle by his side, we’re in pretty good hands.”

Club Welfare Officer Shaun Gledhill, left, and Somerville President 
Rohan Marriot are keen to build a strong culture at Jones Road.

Marriot had a very simple message to finish upon.

“We want to provide an environment that gives everyone the ability to perform at their best, both on and off the ground,” he said.

“A place where we have each other’s back, in both good and tough times, because at the end of the day your local sporting club should be like family.”

People seeking support can attend fortnightly meetings held by Break The Cycle at the Somerville Recreation Centre. More details can be found on the Break The Cycle Facebook and Instagram pages. Or simply give Stan a call on 0466 809 663.

http://www.facebook.com/breakthecycle.11

http://www.instagram.com/breakthecycle.1

-AFLSE Media-