Community Connections through Community Rugby
Local ACT Rugby club to raise funds for Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing
Owls Rugby (ACT) will conduct a major fundraising effort at its home game against Royals on Saturday, 29 July, at ANU North Oval in Turner. The funds raised will contribute to Mental Health and Wellbeing programs supporting the Canberra region’s youth and young adults.
Owls Rugby aims to leverage the goodwill from last year when it raised an incredible $40,000 for the village of Kanokupolu, which was destroyed by the Tsunami on January 2022.
For 2023, Owls Rugby has prioritised raising funds for the local community, working with Hands Across Canberra to establish fundraising partnerships.
Over recent years, the Owls have recognised the importance of mental health and well-being for its players by providing mental health counselling services for those who need them. To do this, Owls Rugby has formed strategic partnerships with headspace and Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) with the aim to raise awareness and funds for the free youth-tailored mental health support and education the two organisations deliver.
Funds raised will support headspace’s Youth Reference Group Regional Camp, assist with MIEACT’s program development and delivery, and The Owls Mental Health and Wellbeing programs.
“Last year’s fundraising for the Tongan village of Kanokupolu was such an incredible experience for the local community and club. This year we want to highlight Hands Across Canberra’s message of embedding a culture that gives back to the local community and support emerging issues and needs’’ said Owls Secretary John Fely. “We’ve seen the impact of the last few years on young people’s mental well-being and emerging needs for support, so we know how vital free services like those provided by headspace are.”
The event will kick off at Owls’ biggest home games of the year against Royals on Saturday, 29 July. There will be raffles, auctions, and the ability to make donations on the day. The Tongan community will also provide traditional Tongan food, which was very popular last year.
Owls Rugby Club is affiliated with the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC) and plays in the ACT Rugby Competitions across all grades. We have eight senior teams: seven men’s and two women’s teams. A number of our men and women also play for the ACT Brumbies.
For further information please contact either the Club Secretary, John Fely email johnfely1@gmail.com or mob 0412 252 534 or OWLS Welfare & Cultural Ambassador Michael Axelsen axelcain1@gmail.com or 0412 688 129o get involved early, you can place a bid now for a wine package worth over $500. Head to the link below to learn what’s included.
To donate directly to the fundraising event select DONATE now.
