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Building Mentally Healthy Sporting Communities: A True Sport Workshop Recap

Following the success of the recent session, True Sport proudly facilitated another practical, evidence-based workshop on Thursday, 24 April at SportHQ, Floreat. The session was designed specifically for people leaders, managers, and People and Culture representatives working in community sport. The full-capacity workshop, with over 20 sporting leaders, was back by popular demand from our member survey to assist sporting organisations to build workplace wellbeing.

Facilitated by Kellie Lewis, a registered psychologist with over 30 years of experience in mental health and workplace wellbeing, this interactive session explored the science of workplace wellbeing and provided proven strategies and practical frameworks tailored to the unique challenges faced by community sport organisations.

Proudly supported by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, this practical workshop equipped sport and recreation leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to support mental health within their communities.

Key Takeaways:

Participants gained practical strategies to:

Understand the Mental Health Champion role, a pivotal position in driving positive change in community sport.
Embed the True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing resources into their unique sport settings.
Respond effectively to mental health concerns and critical incidents, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
Promote a culture of psychological safety, where athletes, coaches, and volunteers feel supported and valued.

The workshop also included a tailored Q&A session, allowing attendees to address challenges specific to their roles and sporting environments. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for the workshop. It was inspiring to see sport leaders so engaged in building mentally healthy environments. From understanding the science of wellbeing to tackling the unique stressors in community sport, participants walked away with practical, evidence-based strategies and a tailored wellbeing plan they can implement with confidence.” Jasmine Cappellucci, True Sport Manager said.

This workshop is part of the wider True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing initiative, a comprehensive program designed to embed wellbeing into the heart of community sport. The initiative offers:

  • A self-paced eLearning course to build foundational knowledge
  • Access to support services, including the Employee and Volunteer Assistance Program
  • A series of interactive, practical workshops tailored to sporting environments

By completing both the workshop and the eLearning course, participants can join the True Sport Mental Health Champions Network - a vibrant community of sport leaders dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive, and mentally healthy spaces.

This initiative reflects a growing commitment to making mental health a central part of sporting culture - not as an optional extra, but as a key driver of performance, connection, and long-term success.

Want more information? Contact our True Sport team at truesport@sportwest.com.au to embed mental health into your sporting organisation!