Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has today announced a three-year alliance with R U OK? to strengthen connection and support across the football community.
Football brings people together, building camaraderie and a strong sense of belonging both on and off the pitch. Together, PFA and R U OK? will build on these strengths by giving players the confidence and skills to notice when someone may be struggling and start an R U OK? Conversation.
Whether someone is on contract, between clubs, or transitioning out of the game, regular, meaningful conversations can help them feel more connected and supported.
The alliance comes at a time when demand for mental health services among players continues to grow. The PFA’s most recent Player Development Program Report highlights that 992 confidential counselling sessions were accessed by players in the past financial year.
This reflects both the pressures facing professional footballers and a positive shift towards players seeking support earlier and more often.
Former Australian professional footballer David Clarkson and R U OK? Football Champion, who spent 12 years playing in Australia’s National Soccer League, experienced first-hand the difference a meaningful check-in can make.
“I remember the day very well. It was while I was still playing. Being asked, ‘are you OK?’ made me feel noticed and cared for at a time when I was finding things difficult,” shared Clarkson. “It gave me permission to be honest instead of simply saying I was fine. Having someone listen helped me feel less alone and reminded me that I didn’t have to manage everything by myself.
“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.”
Clarkson is joined by 14 former footballers, including Lucas Pantelis, Kirsty Yallop, Rosie Sutton, Michael Thwaite, Maddy Whittall, Andrew McDermott, Doug Hodgson, Tash Rigby, Chris Harold, Julia De Angelis, Brendan Renaud, Tessel Middag and Emma Stanbury as R U Ok? Football Champions. The Football Champions will work within A-League clubs to encourage impactful conversations.
Lach Searle, R U OK? CEO, said the partnership will build on the values already at the heart of football.
“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.
“We want players, clubs and communities to feel confident to notice when someone might be struggling, trust their gut and ask, ‘are you OK?’,” Mr Searle continued. “Because a conversation can change a life.”
PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said the alliance responds to the increasing demand for mental health support among players.
“Professional footballers face unique pressures throughout their careers, and it’s clear from our data that more players are reaching out for support than ever before,” Busch said.
“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.
“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 kick-start the alliance, PFA members have stepped up to be R U OK? Football Champions, building their skills and confidence to share the R U OK? message with players as part of pre-season presentations across all A-Leagues clubs.
Free evidence-based tools and resources from R U OK? will now be embedded into PFA programs and club environments, empowering players to help build more connected and supportive club cultures across all levels of the game.
Together, PFA and R U OK? will encourage the football community to kick off the conversation and Ask R U OK? Any Day.
Access the free R U OK? resources at: https://pfa.net.au/r-u-ok-alliance/
Notes to editors
For more information and to arrange an interview, please contact: ruok.org.au/contact
Please note: R U OK? supports the use of the Mindframe guidelines for safe media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide and mental ill-health. Please consider these guidelines when reporting on these topics.
About R U OK?
R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life. Throughout the year, R U OK? provides practical tools and resources to help Australians recognise when someone might be struggling, start a meaningful conversation and lend appropriate support.
