New alliance brings R U OK? Conversations to football
When a friend asked former Australian professional footballer David Clarkson, ‘are you OK?’, the question made a lasting impression.
Knowing someone had noticed and cared enough to ask reminded David that he didn’t have to face what he was going through on his own
“It gave me permission to be honest instead of simply saying I was fine,” said Mr Clarkson.
“It also taught me the importance of checking in with others. Asking R U OK? may seem like a small gesture, but it can open the door to an important conversation and let someone know that their wellbeing matters.”
Mr Clarkson has joined with other footballers to lend their voices to a three-year alliance between R U OK? and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), aimed at making meaningful conversations a regular part of the game.
The alliance kicked off with PFA members stepping up as R U OK? Player Champions and building their skills and confidence to share the R U OK? message through pre-season presentations across all A-Leagues clubs.
Free, evidence-based R U OK? tools and resources are being embedded into PFA programs and club environments, helping players build more connected and supportive cultures across all levels of the game.
“Football is built on connection, teamwork and looking out for each other. This alliance is about building on those strengths and making meaningful conversations part of the culture of the game,”
R U OK? CEO Lachlan Searle said.
“We want players, clubs and communities to feel confident to notice when someone might be struggling, trust their gut and ask, ‘are you OK?’ Because a conversation can change a life.”
The alliance comes as demand for mental health support among professional footballers continues to grow.
The PFA’s most recent Player Development Program Report recorded 1,082 confidential counselling sessions in the past financial year, continuing a trend of year-on-year growth in players accessing support.
PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said the figures highlight both the need for accessible support and the value of strengthening connections between players.
“The growth in confidential counselling sessions shows both the scale of the challenge and the importance of ensuring players have access to trusted, independent support,” Mr Busch said.
“Working together with R U OK? allows us to build on that work by empowering players with the tools to look after each other, and to lead conversations that can have a genuine impact.”
To learn more about how the PFA is sharing the R U OK? message visit
pfa.net.au/r-u-ok-alliance
