Lifeline North Coast and North Coast Football are joining forces to host Kick it for Lifeline, a dedicated community round bringing together 24 football clubs across the NSW North Coast from 3–9 August.
The round will raise awareness and funds for Lifeline North Coast, while encouraging players, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters to connect through local football and start important conversations about mental health, self-care and suicide prevention.
Held in partnership with North Coast Football, Kick it for Lifeline will use the power of sport to bring communities together on and off the field. Clubs across the region will be invited to support the round by creating and sharing player-led videos, promoting mental health messages, encouraging donations and helping connect people with support.
Lifeline North Coast CEO Angela Martin said the round was about more than football — it was about bringing the community together around a message that can save lives.
“Kick it for Lifeline is an opportunity for local clubs, families and supporters to come together, raise vital funds and show people across our region that they are not alone,” Ms Martin said.
“Football clubs are places of belonging. They bring people together each week, and that connection is one of the most powerful protective factors we have when someone is going through a difficult time.
“By hosting this round with North Coast Football, we hope to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage more people to check in with each other, speak up and reach out for support when they need it.”
As part of the campaign, participating clubs will create and share short videos featuring players, coaches or club representatives speaking about mental health, connection, self-care and the importance of looking out for one another.
These videos will be shared across club social media channels throughout the campaign week, helping to amplify the message and encourage the wider community to get behind the round.
North Coast Football General Manager Duncan Marchant said the football community was proud to support Lifeline North Coast and help raise awareness for mental health.
“Football has a unique ability to connect people across towns, clubs, families and generations,” Mr Marchant said.
“With 24 clubs involved across the NSW North Coast, Kick it for Lifeline gives our football community a chance to come together for an important cause, raise funds for Lifeline North Coast and encourage positive conversations about mental health.
“We know that clubs are often where people find friendship, support and belonging. This round is a chance to celebrate that connection and remind everyone that looking out for your teammates and community matters.”
To make it easy for clubs to take part, Lifeline North Coast has developed a downloadable Kick it for Lifeline toolkit, available via the campaign website. The toolkit includes suggested messaging, social media captions, video prompts and practical guidance to help clubs create and share campaign content.
Community members are encouraged to support Kick it for Lifeline from 3–9 August by attending local games, donating to Lifeline North Coast, watching and sharing club videos, and checking in with teammates, friends, family members and colleagues.
Every dollar raised helps Lifeline North Coast continue its local suicide prevention and crisis support work. Every video shared helps extend the message. Every conversation helps reduce stigma. Every connection matters.
For more information, to donate or to download the Kick it for Lifeline toolkit, visit: Kick it for Lifeline
About Lifeline North Coast
Lifeline North Coast provides crisis support, suicide prevention and community connection services across the North Coast. Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line is available on 13 11 14.
