Eltham recorded a season-defining win over Diamond Creek on Saturday, but the Panthers’ efforts at the weekend went beyond playing for on-field success.
Over the course of the week, Eltham threw its support behind 25StayAlive – a foundation which aims to encourage the younger demographic to be more in tune with their bodies, to learn to know what is ‘normal’, and to go get checked if something isn’t right.
Its founder, Hugo Toovey, survived two bouts of testicular cancer and a bout of bowel cancer by the age of 25.
To support the cause, Eltham implemented several initiatives throughout the course of the week, which included trading its traditional black and red jumper for a blue and white version to raise awareness for 25StayAlive.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, Steve Smith – an Eltham reserves player who was one of the main drivers of the initiative – said the club was determined to play its part for a great cause.
“Hugo preaches to people about early detection and prevention and maintaining your physical and mental health, looking out for yourself as best you can,” Smith said.
“He’s also making sure that young men, in particular, get to the doctors and a psychologist if they need to and tapping into all available resources to us.”
The initiative went beyond wearing the specially designed jumper, with Eltham also conducting a men’s health session on Thursday night, with all players in attendance.
Unfortunately, a match-day luncheon had to be cancelled, with Toovey unable to travel to host the event due to the current lockdown imposed on Sydney.
Eltham also conducted a media blitz, where it published a host of men’s health tips on its social media platforms.
“Me along with Matthew Jessop, came up with a week-long media blitz where we were putting up as many relative men’s health issues as possible to help continue the conversation and continuing raising awareness,” Smith said.
“It was unfortunate that we had to cancel the function on Saturday, which would’ve raised a little more money.
“I hosted a session on Thursday night, which covered some key issues of physical health and mental health, and the players were really receptive to it.
“It clearly bonded us as a group last weekend because all four teams had good wins. The seniors, in particular, had a really strong win.”
Smith said the reason behind supporting 25StayAlive was the fact the foundation’s core demographic aligned with the club’s playing group.
“Hugo was a guy at the time in his late 20s that had gone through a lot of health issues in his early 20s and I thought that was a really relevant point for some of our young guys,” Smith said.
“He preaches about us not being invincible in our early 20s and I thought that was a really strong message.”
Eltham president Michael Smith was proud of the player-driven initiative and believed it demonstrated the positive impact grassroots sporting clubs could have on individuals and the wider community.
“For the players to take responsibility for it themselves showed great leadership,” he said.
“More particularly what a good community objective it is and just how much they understand these issues themselves.”
