Clubs to THRIVE with a game-changing wellbeing program

Published on 23 June 2021

Ten sporting and recreation clubs in Frankston City are now taking part in a wellbeing program that is expected to foster greater inclusivity and improve mental health.

The clubs, covering thousands of members across a community centre, girl guides, hockey, football, netball, soccer and athletics, are engaging in the THRIVE program developed by the Langwarrin Positive Education Network.

The program has been operating in Langwarrin schools for several years, and was first extended to sporting and recreational clubs in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region last November.

It is being delivered by the St Kilda Football Club in partnership with Frankston City Council, Peninsula Health, Langwarrin Positive Education Network, and the Primary Care Partnership.

The acronym THRIVE reflects a philosophy that urges young people to Try their best, be Healthy, Relate well, get Involved, live their Values and Enjoy positive emotions.

Frankston City Council welcomed the broad adoption of the program by local clubs today, and their access to ongoing mental health supports through it.

South Ward Cr Liam Hughes said the THRIVE program had flourished in Langwarrin schools because of the enthusiasm and hard work put in by the Langwarrin Positive Education Network – established by the Elisabeth Murdoch College and three Langwarrin primary schools.

“This school community has shown a great commitment to supporting their young people to feel positive, and be able to respond positively to challenges, and the popularity of the THRIVE program is a great example of this.”

Frankston City Council is a supporter of the THRIVE program being extended into sporting and recreational clubs in line with efforts to strengthen communities and encourage activities that promote wellbeing and promote inclusion.

South Ward Cr Brad Hill said: “These club leaders are to be commended for trying something new that will extend mental health benefits to thousands of young people, particularly when so many have been living with the additional stress of interrupted schooling, sporting and social lives because of the pandemic.”

The program’s influence on sporting cultures is already on display, with Frankston Hockey Club promoting inclusiveness by taking part in Hockey Victoria’s 2021 Stand Out Cup to raise awareness about standing up against homophobia and transphobia earlier this year.

The Stingrays wore special edition ‘THRIVE’ playing shirts.

Other clubs are incorporating the program through awarding certificates to those who display the THRIVE values in training and games.

The General Manager of Marketing and Community Engagement with the St Kilda Football Club, Calzac Bowen, said: ”To be bringing a program like THRIVE to community sport and recreation is fantastic, as we believe it will give young people the skills they need to live healthy, happy lives.

“As a club, we’ve really made strides in the mental health space over recent years, with the construction of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing (underway in Moorabbin) the ultimate physical representation of our commitment.

“However, knowing that this program will establish positive changes for a generation of young people is really powerful and we would love to see this expanded into more clubs and groups at a grass roots level,” Mr Bowen said.

The expansion of the THRIVE program into sporting and recreational clubs in the region is being funded by the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network and the State Government, as part of the Suicide Prevention Place-based Trials.

The pilot is expected to run until the end of the year.