About Read the Play Mental Health Round
Read the Play Round is about raising awareness of mental health, breaking down stigma, and encouraging everyone to support their teammates, friends and family.
Mental health challenges are increasingly affecting young Australians:
- 49% of young Australians report experiencing high or very high psychological distress.
- 2 in 5 young people aged 16–24 experience a mental health disorder in any 12-month period.
- Symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress increase significantly throughout the high school years and are most prevalent among girls and gender-diverse young people.
- Globally, mental health disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability for young people aged 10–19.
Source: headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey 2025 and National Mental Health Commission 2023.
In Read the Play Round, Under 16 male & Under 17 female Footballers, and 15&Under Netballers play with a dedicated RTP match ball.
Read the Play Round Values
Throughout Read the Play Round, players are encouraged to embody the values that strengthen both sport and community.
RESPECT
Treat everyone with dignity, empathy and understanding.
COURAGE
Speak up, seek support and look out for those around you.
TEAMWORK
Work together, support your mates and create a positive environment for all.
The player who best demonstrates the Read the Play Round values will be awarded the Read the Play Medal and receive the match ball.
Mental Health is a Team Sport
“Read the Play is a unique program that uses young people’s engagement with sport and connection to their local club to deliver important messages that improve mental health literacy and knowledge about where to seek help for mental health problems.
Read the Play has been continuously evaluated and refined over many years and impressed me with its strong focus on partnering with the local community.”
Dr Kate Hall
Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, AFL
The Tackle Your Feelings Program
Champion positive change in mental health at your Football & Netball Club
Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health training program for community football and netball coaches and players, as well as committee members, umpires and other club support staff.
Established in 2018 by the AFL Coaches Association, AFL Players’ Association and Zurich Insurance, the program is based on the education delivered to the AFL industry, and is led by high profile player and coach ambassadors.
Tackle Your Feelings workshops are delivered by a local psychologist. the program aims to help participants gain tools to Understand, Recognise and Respond to signs of mental ill-health in their players.