AFL NSW/ACT R U OK? Round kicking off life-changing conversations

hello • 2 August 2019

Today across NSW and ACT, AFL players are pulling up their yellow socks and donning their club jerseys in support of the inaugural R U OK? AFL Round. The round, established to inspire and empower the AFL community to meaningfully connect with people around them, is the first simultaneous initiate run across all 14 managed leagues in one weekend.


AFL NSW/ACT CEO Sam Graham said the leagues are excited to show a united front in relation to the conversation around positive peer support.

“Our leagues and clubs provide great environments and supportive frameworks, where mateship and loyalty are at the core of our game.

“The R U OK? Round will open even more avenues for awareness for mental health, and challenge everyone within our game to make sure that they ask that important question – are you ok?”

GWS Giants AFLW Vice-Captian and proud R U OK? supporter Alicia Eva is looking forward to seeing the R U OK? Round in action.

“It’s a great reminder to check in on your mates, your loved ones and even yourself, not just during the R U OK? Round but in your day-to-day life,” Eva said.

“This round encourages connectedness and involvement in suicide prevention and awareness. Many people are touched by suicide and the AFL NSW/ACT R U OK? Round is a great opportunity to kick off conversations around mental health.”


Eva commends the numerous high profile players that have spoken out about mental health challenges recently, encouraging others to do the same.

“These challenges don’t discriminate and it shows amazing courage when people speak out about the issues they’re facing. As a society we are progressing in our understanding of mental illness and we are encouraging people to speak up when they are not okay.

“We are starting to see that when you come out asking for help, you’ll be supported. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but of great strength.”


Find out more at: http://aflnswact.com.au/r-u-ok-round-announcement/

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After ten years of teamwork, partnerships, growth, and countless conversations, I will be stepping down as CEO from 1 December 2025. It has been an extraordinary privilege to contribute to the growth of this movement and to witness meaningful change before my eyes. Gavin Larkin founded R U OK? because he believed conversation has the power to change lives. One seemingly simple question, when asked with genuine intent and care, can start a meaningful and sometimes complex conversation. And that’s what Gavin wanted. For people to look beyond responses of “I’m fine” or “All good” and ask, “Are you really OK?”. The notion of going deeper with conversations, of asking a second time, of trusting our guts and moving past our hesitation - is being grasped and moving beyond one day to any day. Whilst saying “G’day how are you?” will always be a greeting - we can do more. When Gavin lost his father to suicide he wanted to try and protect other families from the pain his endured. He wanted to get people talking and having real chats about how they’re feeling with their mates, their family and their colleagues. In locker rooms, lunch rooms, and lounge rooms across the nation. But he approached it from a different angle. Gavin wanted all of us to have the confidence to support the people we care about who might be struggling with life. To make conversations a natural part of our behaviour, to openly show our signals of support. So as R U OK? generations continue to evolve, my chapter is coming to a close. How fortunate I am to have been part of the story. From hesitant glances during presentations in 2015 to queues of people waiting for a conversation in 2025. From yellow wigs in the office, to welcoming yellow-swathed Ambassadors to share their lived experience. From yellow coffee cups in a café, to yellow cars driving into communities nationwide. And yes, there’s been a few cupcakes along the way. Social change is happening, and we are all a part of it. No one organisation can prevent suicide, no one individual can save everyone - but the power of many can make a difference.
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