SportWest, in collaboration with the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, the City of Mandurah and Mandurah Basketball Association, was proud to host a vital community initiative aimed at strengthening mental health support for young people in sport.
Held during WA Mental Health Week, the Youth Mental Health Workshop: Critical Incident Response, facilitated through SportWest’s True Sport program, brought together the Mandurah sporting community on Thursday, 9th October 2025 at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC). The session was led by Kellie Lewis from The Mental Health Project and welcomed coaches, parents, and volunteers from clubs affiliated with the Mandurah Basketball Association.
This free workshop provided club leaders with a practical understanding of how to respond when a critical incident occurs in a community sporting environment. Participants explored how to develop a critical incident plan, identify when and how to apply it, and take effective steps to restore psychological safety and stability within their clubs.
Workshop Highlights
Throughout the session, attendees gained insights into:
- Developing a critical incident plan tailored to their club’s needs.
- Applying evidence-based best practices when responding to incidents.
- Communicating effectively with athletes, families, and stakeholders during and after a crisis.
- Accessing support resources, referral pathways, and external services.
- Understanding the importance of debriefing and follow-up to promote long-term mental health and wellbeing in sport.
“This workshop truly demonstrated the power of collaboration between community sport organisations, and both state and local government,” said Jasmine Cappellucci, True Sport Manager at SportWest. “Thanks to the combined efforts of SportWest’s True Sport program, CITS Peel, Mandurah Basketball Association, and the City of Mandurah, we were able to deliver practical, meaningful support to those working directly with young people in sport. We’re proud to bring True Sport to regional Western Australia and continue equipping community sport leaders with the tools and knowledge to strengthen the sector from the ground up.”
Special Thanks to Our Partners and Supporters:
- City of Mandurah
- WA Government and CITS Peel
- Mandurah Basketball Association
- Basketball WA – South West
- Peel Regional Academy of Sport
This initiative reflects True Sport’s ongoing commitment to building safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for every sport and every participant. Workshops like this are vital in equipping community sport leaders with the tools they need to foster resilience and wellbeing in their respective sporting communities.
For more information on upcoming workshops and resources, or if your organisation is interested in a similar session, contact our True Sport team via email truesport@sportwest.com.au
