The Western Force will throw its support behind charity partner zero2hero at Saturday night’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific game with a range of initiatives to raise funds for the WA-based youth mental health charity.
In February, the Force announced its new long-term partnership with zero2hero which will come to a fore when the team wears red playing jerseys in the zero2hero Charity Game against the Queensland on Saturday 16 May from 5:35pm at HBF Park.
The Charity Game is aimed at elevating zero2hero’s cause and message, along with helping to raise funds for the organization who are dedicated to equipping young people with the skills to look after their wellbeing, support their peers and reduce the risk of suicide.
In a bid to raise awareness for zero2hero, the Force will wear the striking red jerseys which will be revealed this week, while the Club’s social media channels will switch to include zero2hero’s red.
zero2hero will activate at Saturday’s game, handing out hero masks along with try cards emblazoned with their logo and colours.
In a bid to raise vital funds for zero2hero, all 23 of the Force’s player-worn jerseys from Saturday night’s game will be auctioned off via Match Worn Shirt. $1 from every attendee’s ticket at the game will go to zero2hero, with major partner Altrad matching that for the first 5,000 supporters through the gates.
The Force will also this week put on sale a limited number of replica warm-up tees (pictured in photo above) in the zero2hero red with the slogan “A Force For Young Minds”, that the players have been wearing prior to every game this season, with $10 from each sale going to the charity.
- Every $60 raised, helps zero2hero impact a young person's life.
- Every $420 raised, delivers a mental health school workshop.
- Every $1,250 raised, sponsors a student to attend camp hero
A fortnight ago, zero2hero CEO Ashlee Harrison and her staff attended a team meeting at Force HQ, presenting to and speaking with Super Rugby Pacific players, coaches and staff.
Force CEO Niamh O’Connor said: “We’re proud to stand beside zero2hero in a partnership grounded in courage, care and the belief that connection can change a life.
"In Western Australia we look after our own. This is about showing up for young people in the moments that matter, wrapping community around them and using the power of rugby to create belonging, resilience and hope.
"We want every young person to know there is a team behind them. And together, we’ll turn the strength of our game into real impact off the field.
"We were really moved by Ashlee’s personal story and we all know mental health issues are becoming more common and talked about, so we’re really happy to play a role in helping this important cause.”
Research shows, 75 per cent of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25 and 80 per cent of young people seek help from friends over adults and professionals, which is why zero2hero focus on early education.
Last year, zero2hero’s mental health programs impacted over 66,000 young people in every region of WA. Collectively, zero2hero is dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Western Australia and preventing suicide in our communities.
zero2hero CEO Ashlee Harrison welcomed the partnership.
“Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together, start conversations, and influence communities in a really positive way,” Harrison said.
“To partner with the Western Force is incredibly meaningful for us, because it helps highlight an important truth – that mental health education and prevention play a vital role in supporting young people and communities.
“This partnership allows us to reach more young people, more families, and more communities, which is ultimately how we create long-term change.”
zero2hero is a WA-based youth mental health charity. Find out more about zero2hero via this link.
