Dandenong Thunder partners with Beyond Blue for mental health awareness

Dandenong Thunder hopes its partnership with Beyond Blue can spread across the state as it hosts Altona Magic to raise mental health awareness.

Dandenong Thunder prepare for a Beyond Blue fundraiser.

Dandenong Thunder hopes its initiative to raise awareness of mental health can spread throughout Victorian football.

The Thunder will host its maiden Beyond Blue match when it hosts Altona Magic on Saturday night at George Andrews Reserve.

A Beyond Blue Cup is played for in the AFL, NRL and A-League but it is believed to be the first partnership between the mental health organisation and a NPL Victoria club.

A big crowd is expected for the clash with both teams finals aspirations on the line.

Thunder’s Dylan Korcari said community sport had an important part to play in opening up mental health discussions.

Dandenong Thunder prepares for a Beyond Blue fundraiser.

“It’s something that’s very exciting, not only for Dandenong Thunder, but I hope this can become an annual thing and more NPL clubs get involved, it doesn’t have to be directly with Beyond Blue but any charities,” Korcari said.

“I feel like a lot isn’t being done at a semi-professional level because at the end of the day mental health in (local) sport is as significant at professional.

“Coming out of COVID, especially people in Melbourne, I’m sure a lot of people have been directly or indirectly affected by mental health battles.

“Announcing it to the boys, I could see a lot of smiles and you could tell it was close to people’s hearts.

“I really hope this initiative can kick start something that Football Victoria can take into their own hands and we can have one round a season that is dedicated to raising awareness for mental health.”

Local sport has taken on a bigger role following COVID lockdowns as people look to reconnect with their community.

During lockdowns and in the years since, local sporting clubs have been important places to relieve pressure and become safe spaces to discuss mental health.

“I play tennis and if I’m going through a hard time that’s my relief,” Korcari said.

“Me hitting a ball for an hour and a half a couple of times a week, I’m smashing the ball and don’t care if it goes in or out.

“People that play soccer, that’s their escape for five or 10 hours a week, when they’re on the pitch and got a ball at their feet.

“Sometimes you just don’t know, sometimes the person with the biggest smile is battling the biggest demons and it’s important to reach out and have the conversation that it’s OK not to be OK.”

It’s not just an important night off the field for Dandenong Thunder but on the pitch as well.

The club is fighting to stay in the NPL finals hunt with seven games remaining in the home-and-away season.

The Thunder sit in eighth with opponent Altona just two points ahead in seventh and sixth-placed Green Gully a further point in front.

The Magic snared a 3-2 win in their Round 7 meeting and are coming off a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Melbourne Knights last week, while Dandenong had a 0-0 draw with Port Melbourne.

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“On the pitch obviously it’s almost do-or-die against Altona Magic, this is pretty much an elimination final for us,” Korcari said.

“At local sporting clubs, I don’t know how many are getting 1000 or 2000 fans and if the weather is good then I’m expecting a massive crowd.

“Not only for us but Altona Magic are on a good streak at the moment and hopefully there’s a good game of football and we can raise as much money as we can for a worthy cause.”

Dandenong Thunder’s Beyond Blue match against Altona Magic kicks off at 7.15pm at George Andrews Reserve in Dandenong South.