Posted on 15th May 2025
Youth Solutions and Wests give support to the cheer squad behind our young people
Youth Solutions and Wests Group Macarthur Group have again teamed up and are proud to announce the launch of the Sports AWARE Supporter Campaign.
The goal? To ensure that local sporting coaches, clubs, parents and carers have access to the health information they need to better support their young people around drug, alcohol and wellbeing issues.
The campaign runs alongside the Sports AWARE program; a year-round initiative delivering health promotion and skill-building workshops and outreach activities with young sportspeople. The Sports AWARE Supporters campaign aims to help the positive role models of our sporting community feel equipped with the know-how and connections to support their young people, particularly via the launch and sharing of a Supporters Guide, social media campaign and various community activations.
Youth Solutions Chief Executive Officer Geraldine Dean said she and the team were excited to launch the Sports AWARE Supporter Campaign this month, and particularly its Supporter Guide, to help our community prioritise youth wellbeing and to know the signs and steps to supporting someone experiencing drug, alcohol or wellbeing concerns.
“The team, with the support of Wests Group Macarthur, has worked hard to put together an amazing Supporters Guide in a concise format that covers the key points. It’s an easy-to-carry pocket leaflet containing information we believe is vital to ensure our young sportspeople are safe. Utilising this guide, and some robust campaign engagement strategies, we’re seeking to help parents, carers, coaches and sporting clubs be equipped to support their young sports players who might be experiencing issues with wellbeing or drugs and alcohol,” Mrs Dean said.
“The two areas particularly relevant for carers and coaches are: signs a young player may be experiencing issues around drugs and alcohol, and tips on how to talk to young players about drugs, alcohol and safety. Strong support networks, positive role models and open communication around these topics can play a role in prevention.
Mrs Dean encouraged all sporting clubs to share the Sports AWARE Supporter Campaign and guide with their coaches, staff and families and consider building their support of young people by booking a FREE Sports AWARE health promotion workshop for their youth players.
She also thanked the Wests Group Macarthur team for its support and partnership to make the Sports AWARE project and Supporter Campaign possible.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Wests Group Macarthur for its support, partnership and funding for this campaign and the broader Sports AWARE project. It’s truly heartening to see their shared passion for supporting the wellbeing of local young sportspeople.”
Wests Group Macarthur CEO Daniel Perkiss said his organisation was pleased to be part of such an important initiative.
“Wests have long prided themselves as the home of sport in the Macarthur region, and the Sports AWARE program and now the Supporters Campaign takes our commitment to another level,” Mr Perkiss said. “We look forward to working with Youth solutions to bring this campaign to life as part of our commitment to supporting our young sportspeople on and off the sporting field.
Youth Solutions Health Promotion Officer & Educator, Shannon at a Sports AWARE Outreach.
This month’s Sports AWARE Outreach activities, where you can pick up the Supporter Guide, campaign freebies and chat to the Youth Solutions team:
Download the Supporter Guide: https://youthsolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sports-AWARE-Supporters-Guide-1.pdf
Sports AWARE is a free project for sporting clubs, thanks to the support of Wests Macarthur Group. It is built around educational workshops, interactive outreach activities and resources for supporters, and the program is tailored to meet the specific needs of associations, clubs and teams.
Sports AWARE aims to prevent young sports players from experiencing drug- and alcohol-related harm by:
For more details about the Sports AWARE program, visit youthsolutions.com.au/educators/sports-aware. To book a Sports AWARE program, call Emily on 02 4628 2319 or email emily@youthsolutions.com.au.
