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Check on your Homies - Battle Out West Tournament, raising funds for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness

Westminster Warriors F.C. and LIVIN

Immediate Release

MEDIA CALL

Available for Comment or Interview

Leading Up and On the Day 

TV, Radio and Print

 

This Saturday 12 April 2025

Location: Westminster Warriors SC

4 Danyel Court, Redbank Plains Queensland 4301

 

830am Crowd talk and Opening

9am – 4pm Tournament Games and Awards

 

Available for Comment

Phil Smith – Westminster Warriors F.C. and Event organiser

Representatives from Clubs and Sector Advocates

Mr River Night – National Disability and Community Sector Advocate

 

This Saturday 12 April 2025, 9am -  4pm the Snap Fitness – Redbank Plains Battle out West Soccer tournament, kicks off at 8:30am at the Westminster Soccer Club grounds.

 

The tournament boasts a line up of 8 teams from the region playing a total of 230 minutes of soccer across the day.

 

We interviewed Mr Smith today who explained that his previous event in New Zealand raising funds for Hope is my Homeboy was hugely successful and he hopes to bring that opportunity here to Queensland this Saturday.

 

Westminster Warriors S.C. are inviting everyone to come along and watch, join in the activities and bring your cash to donate and support this huge fundraising event for this year’s recipient organisation LIVIN.

 

LIVIN is a non-profit mental health organisation that was founded in 2013 in loving memory of our friend and a great man, Dwayne Lally. Dwayne took his life after living in silence with a mental illness. Like a lot of people, Dwayne lived in silence because of the stigma that surrounds mental health and he didn’t know how to ask for help.

Everything we do is about empowering people to speak up because It Ain’t Weak To Speak®. We want to be proactive in combating mental Illness, through championing mental health; encouraging preventative action and help seeking before things become unmanageable. Visit the LIVIN website to learn more about their story and work.

 

According to the LIVIN website, every 40 seconds someone in the world takes their own life. Each loss will negatively impact up to 135 more people.

 

1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness each year. Many suffer in silence due to the stigma and lack of education around mental health. LIVIN is helping change this.

 

“Everyone knows somebody that’s effected by mental health issues”, said Mr Smith today.

 

“We need to spread the word that you are enough.

 

“Save 1 life and we save the world.

 

“Mental Health stigma and the reluctance of people to talk about how they are and when they are not doing well must change here in Australia”, said Mr Night, National Disability and Community Servies Sector Advocate.

 

“I have personally seen so many people, including those leading huge organisations in the mental health and community services sector, struggle with their own mental health and we have lost so many to suicide.

 

“Organisations like LIVIN who promote positive mental health and well being through early education and awareness are so important.

 

“Normalising being vulnerable and engaging conversations is critical and something we need to teach people is ok so they can seek help and support when they need it.

 

“Living in a rural region, even though it isn’t far from the city, I still see such a huge need for services and the common culture of “it’ll be right mate”, “stop ya whinging”, “get on with it” that leads so many of our farmers and people living in the country or city to suicide.

 

“Ill be joining in and playing in the tournament this year as a carer and professional working nationally in this space, because I know exercise and community is essential for myself in maintaining my own mental health and fitness and we must raise funds for essential organisations like LIVIN.

 

“I’ll be joining the tournament this Saturday representing Rosewood United S.C. in the president’s team”, said Tammy Crawford, President of Rosewood United S.C. and finalist for this years Rosewood Citizen of the Year Award.

 

“All of us, every single one of us, has a mental health to take care of. And we all need to get on board, break the stigma, take care of each other and remind ourselves that none of us are alone.

 

 

 

Key Facts:

LIVIN Website Link https://www.livin.org/

 

New Zealand; Hope is My Homeboy Link https://www.facebook.com/Hopeismyhomeboy

 

Westminster Warriors Soccer Club Website

http://www.westminstersc.org.au/website/

 

Contact details:

M 0401429403

[email protected]