Medibank teams up with the AFL’s Ahead of the Game

Medibank has announced its partnership with the AFL’s leading youth mental health and wellbeing program, Ahead of the Game.

Developed by Movember, the AFL’s Ahead of the Game uses community sport as a platform to build mental fitness and resilience in young people, equipping players, parents, coaches and volunteers with tools to recognise, manage and support mental health challenges.

Since its launch in 2024, the program has reached over 40,000 people within community football clubs across the country.

As proud partners of the AFLW, Medibank’s support extends to the newly adapted program, The Challenge W, which features content that is meaningful, relevant and relatable to women’s and girls’ experiences in community football.

Medibank Group Medical Director and GP Dr Shona Sundaraj said connection through community sport can play a key role in building mental fitness.

“Being part of a sporting community is about more than physical fitness, it’s an opportunity for young people to connect and feel part of something,” Dr Sundaraj said.

“The Challenge W program places emphasis on team connection and peer support which is so important for young women and girls when facing challenges both on and off the field.

We’re proud to partner with the AFL’s Ahead of the Game program, so that more young players across the country can learn valuable mental fitness skills and grow their knowledge in how to look after their mental heath and wellbeing.

AFL Head of Health and Wellbeing Dr Kate Hall said The Challenge W harnesses the power of team sport for young women and girls to protect and strengthen resilience.

“On behalf of the AFL, we’re thrilled to welcome Medibank as one of the supporting partners of Ahead of the Game,” Dr Hall said.

“The Challenge W was designed with and for young women and girls in our game to help them build practical mental fitness skills, including emotional regulation, problem solving and healthy coping strategies they can use on and off the field, with the support of their team.

“With Medibank’s support, we’ll continue expanding the reach and impact of the Challenge W, helping more women and girls build vital mental fitness skills through community football clubs across Australia.”

The Challenge W programs are delivered by local partners, including AFLW players who have been trained as facilitators, using their positions as role models within the community to share their experience and connect with participants.

St Kilda AFLW players Serene Watson and Olivia Vesely hosted the first pilot session of the adapted Challenge W program at Beaumaris Football Club on Tuesday 23 June.

Learn more about the AFL’s Ahead of the Game program here.