Hitting the greens for Mental Health Awareness
The inaugural Bowls Victoria x Bowl For Your Lives Mental Health Awareness charity round was held on Saturday 31st January, with clubs all over Victoria (and even a few interstate) supporting the cause by going green on the greens.
Sixty clubs took advantage of the exclusive BV x AM Sportswear offer, donning the BFYL x Club shirts to wear on the day, and many more partipated in the day by adding a touch of green to their on-green attire, while also fundraising. It was wonderful to see the comraderie out on the greens over weekend, with opposition clubs standing side-by-side, talking together about mental health.
We caught up with Cam Ryan during Friday’s live stream match at Melbourne Bowling Club, where he proudly announced the launch of the Dean O’Neill Support Program. A friend to many Victorian bowlers, Dean tragically lost his life in 2025. Now, with the support of his family, the team at Bowl For Your Lives have named their new program in Dean’s honour. Fundraising received from the Mental Health Awareness Round will go towards this program, and will help keep people in the game of bowls, get new bowlers into the game who may be struggling financially, as well as supporting other important initiatives. The BFYL team recently visited Harcourt Bowling Club, in an area ravaged by bushfires earlier this month, to speak with bowlers and the wider community, providing some much needed positive and financial support.
“Bowl For Your lives was overwhelmed to see so many people of all ages and diversity across the State actively participate in creating more awareness and acceptance of Mental Health in our community. The participation rate of this weekend’s Mental Health Round created great hope moving forward”, said Cam.
“Together we are actively making a change, and by ‘going green’ through coloured hair, hair accessories, and so many other initiatives, we think they all had fun in the process. Many positive conversations were had an at the end of the day the bowling community showed great generosity through donations made. This will assist so many in need through the Dean O’Neill Support Program.
It is a credit to the governing body, Bowls Victoria, and all participating bowlers who made this round a success. Next year’s round is already eagerly anticipated by many and promises to be even bigger. On behalf of the entire team at Bowl For Your lives, we thank you”.
Psycholgist, Kelly Strange, who actively works with the BFYL team, spoke to BV about how bowls is so good as a proactive measure, to both support and prevent mental health struggles. “Whether you’re a professional, just starting out, or just barefoot bowling, just having fun is what it’s all about. If you don’t have the skills, that’s okay, you can have a go, you can learn from the best just by watching, and it really is a sport where anyone can have a go”.
Kellie noted the current statistics that tell us that 45% of all Australians will experience some form of mental health issue. That’s 1 in 5, or 20% in any given year. Think about your team or side, and it puts those numbers into perspective.
Over at Coatesville Bowling Club in Melbourne’s South East, President Jim Magee OAM, along with club members and opposition players, welcomed Zoe Daniel, Chair of Mental Health Victoria, to what was a very positive and well-supported event.
“Zoe is a well-known and highly respected member of the community, and the club was grateful that she accepted our invitation to be part of the day”, said Jim. “The club reached out to Zoe directly, and she generously gave her time, spending the day speaking with members and visitors, listening to people’s stories and taking the time to connect with everyone who wished to meet her. Her presence and approachability meant a great deal to many on the day”.
“Games were played in good spirit against Bentleigh and Hampton Bowls Clubs, adding to the strong sense of community and enjoyment throughout the day. Overall, the day was widely regarded as a success and highlighted the important role that bowls clubs play in supporting mental health, connection, and inclusion within the community.”
Bowls Victoria congratulates the team at Coatesville for throwing such great support behind this important cause and getting conversations started in their community.
It’s been incredible to see all your photos on social media of clubs and members participating in the Mental Health Awareness Round (watch out for the album we’ve collated). Seeing so many smiling faces refelcts the positive impact that getting out on the greens really can have for mental health. Special shoutout to Claremont Bowls & Community Club (Tasmania) for supporting the cause. A number of regional Victorian clubs affected by extreme heat and abandoned games will be wearing their BFYL shirts and fundraising this weekend, and we wish them all the best getting their conversations started.
For clubs who have collected donations from members and visitors, or any member who would like to make a donation to the Dean O’Neill Support Program via the BV x BFYL donation portal, you can do so up until 15th February, 2026, with funds going directly back to bowlers and clubs in need. To those who have already donated, thank you very much for your support on behalf of the Bowl For Your Lives team.
Donations can be made via the link below or by scanning the QR code:
Thank you to everyone for taking part in the first Mental Health Awareness Round, and we look forward to the next one!
