The Sons of the West men’s health program is wrapping up for another year this week as over 500 men will be presented with their graduation hoodie at ceremonies across Victoria’s west.
Last Wednesday saw 90 men graduate at Victoria University Whitten Oval, with a final graduation in Melton tonight for a further 150.
The free men’s health program expanded in a big way in its third year going from five sites to 12, including the regional setting of Ballarat for the first time, and included The Locker Room, a new initiative to the program, a men’s health discussion group led by Clinical Psychologists looking to improve the men’s mental health.
Western Bulldogs acting CEO Michael Quinn said the Club was delighted with the way that men have embraced the program.
“It gives men of the west a friendly, open and inclusive forum to learn more about their health and wellbeing, Quinn said.
“We hope our participants will graduate with knowledge and skills they can apply to their everyday lives.”
52-year-old Frank Vella graduated for the first time in 2016 and won the Club Champion Award last night for outstanding individual achievement in the program, showing the true Sons of the West values and teachings.
Speaking with westernbulldogs.com.au, Vella admitted feeling anxious on his first night, but couldn’t have been happier with the welcoming environment.
“First night I thought ‘this is great,’” he said.
“Sometimes you get a whole bunch of blokes in a room and everyone is cliquey - they stay in their own groups but it wasn’t like that.
“Everybody was really welcoming, very interested in where you came from and what you did.”
Vella said that he thought the reason was that everyone was there for the same reason.
“Internally they may have different reasons, some may have come to lose weight, others for medical type things, or the health side of things, but I think it’s all for being able to be part of a team and help each other out.
“Even when we’re doing simple exercises it’s all about the teamwork and helping each other out. It’s all about asking your mate if he’s ok and just being more aware and offering a helping hand.”
The Sons of the West Leadership Academy will be running in October for those men who are eligible, with the Sons of the West Preseason returning in early 2017.
