Round 2 of the 2026 season on Saturday April 18 will once again see the League unite for the Loy Yang B Mental Health Round. The initiative enters its sixth season under the Gippsland League proudly supported by the Loy Yang B partnership, the round continues to play a vital role in supporting clubs and communities while raising awareness of mental health and its impact across Gippsland.
The Gippsland League will mark a significant milestone in 2026, with this year representing the 10th Mental Health Round delivered by the competition. The initiative was initially as part of the broader AFL Gippsland program from 2015-2019 and now has expanded from 2021 by the Gippsland League through the support of the member clubs and Loy Yang B.
The round will be played across all five match days, with a series of activations designed to promote the message of making better mental health our goal.
A key feature of the round will see Mental Health Champions recognised across both football and netball. In every football match, one player from each team across all four grades will wear a specially designed jumper featuring a blue ‘0’ on the back, symbolising the push for zero lives lost to mental health. These jumpers represent a united commitment from the League and its member clubs to support better mental health outcomes across their communities.
Across netball, each match will also feature a Mental Health Champion from both teams wearing special blue bibs, alongside the use of a blue match ball for every game.
In addition, all football and netball players and officials will wear blue armbands throughout the round, reinforcing the shared commitment to supporting mental health and encouraging important conversations.
Each of the five match days will also see clubs competing for a Mental Health Round Cup, while every match will feature the presentation of the Alliance Player of the Game Medal. Awarded to a player from the winning side, the medal recognises the individual who best demonstrates courage, determination and teamwork, as voted by the coaching panel.
Gippsland League General Manager Dan Heathcote said the round continues to grow in importance each year.
“Reaching 10 years of Mental Health Round is a significant milestone for the Gippsland League and highlights the long-term commitment our clubs and communities have made to this space,”
“Community sport plays such an important role in bringing people together, and initiatives like this assist to raise awareness and support making better mental health everyone’s goal.” With the continued support of Loy Yang B, the Gippsland League remains committed to championing mental health, supporting our clubs, and strengthening our communities across Gippsland.
