Last week a group of teacher and OSHC educators participated in professional learning to enhance to deliver of our program to students and families.  Mrs Lewis wrote this summary of the day. 

It was also great to see that The Resilience Project is a program that is not just helping our students. It is a program that is helping thousands and thousands of people, adults and children alike. Broncos and the Maroons have partnered with The Resilience Project to help tackle mental health in our schools. It was also great to see some footballers talk and explain the importance that mental health plays in their own roles. We all know that our professional sports stars need to physically prepare for their games, but to know that they practice this and do this stuff to prepare mentally, is just incredible and I believe this will help our young people understand the importance of mental health.

Obviously, I’m a huge fan of football :)  but can anyone tell me who the male football player is?

Mrs Gatti, that would be Alex Glenn.  He is a back rower and former captain of the Brisbane Broncos.  He also represented Cook Islands and New Zealand in internation Rugby League.

When Broncos launched their partnership, Pat Carrigan, who has worked closely with Hugh Van Cuylenburg as part of the Queensland Maroons Origin Program, credits the mental health advocate with helping him build his own resilience, on and off the field.

“I’m really passionate about the work that he does,” Carrigan said. “Those values that I learned through the Project are things that are helping me become a better person before I become a better football player.”

Ali Brigginshaw – who was one of the footballers that spoke at The Resilience Project conference for teachers – is also passionate about getting awareness of GEM out into our schools and community.

“I had to overcome so many challenges being the only girl playing rugby league, I wish someone had taught me resilience from a young age. I had to learn it myself, so having this program to help kids, not only the ones that are great at sport, but the ones that do the arts, or just academically strong, is great. I wish I had that, so as Broncos, I think it’s a great partnership being able to help young kids,” Brigginshaw said.

If you would like to read more about the partnership between the Broncos and The Resilience Project, head to the Broncos website (link below)