Ex-AFL champion Jimmy Bartel backs EJ Whitten Foundation for men’s health

JIMMY Bartel is urging younger men to care more for their health and wants his two-year-old son, Aston, to grow up knowing it’s important to have regular checks.

JIMMY Bartel is urging younger men to care more for their health.

The former AFL champion wants his two-year-old son Aston to grow up knowing it’s important to have regular checks.

“As a young father I think it’s pretty good to be targeting younger men,” Bartel said.

“Usually we leave it until the later years to get check-ups, but it’s a good thing to start the conversations early and talking about going to a see a doctor.”

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Bartel is supporting the EJ Whitten Foundation, which has long promoted awareness for men’s health.

Hairdresser Joey Scandizzo’s Kings Domain Barber Shop is the new major sponsor of the foundation, and the inaugural Blokes Barbecue event which will be held on Wednesday night with chef Shane Delia cooking for 100 Melbourne men.

Hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, former AFL champion Jimmy Bartel and his son, Aston. Picture: Tony Gough

“Just having the conversations with these guys is great,” Bartel said.

“As a young boy growing up with footy, I watched Ted (Whitten) and Victorian footy and what he stood for.

“Now it’s about bringing awareness to men’s health and they’re doing great things.”

Nick Holland, chief executive of The EJ Whitten Foundation, said younger men often didn’t want to appear vulnerable.

“Jimmy Bartel as a young dad is a great ambassador for the launch as he will get the men’s health message out to the younger generation and young dads in particular, who often don’t confront health issues due to new family pressures and career focus,” Holland said. “The aim of the partnership with Kings Domain Barbers is to spread the message to this demographic.”