Corio will use its practice match against Colac and District club Otway Districts to raise mental health awareness.
The Devils have entered a partnership with All in One Support Services, and for the 2024 season, the club’s Purnell Road base will be branded All in One Oval.
Labelled ‘A Match for Change’, Beyond Blue ambassador Wende Marsh will speak after the game, with all money raised through the sale of raffle tickets, gold coin entry and donations going to support the work of Beyond Blue.
“When we got Matty James on board, his brother Mark, who was a junior at our club, wanted to get involved in some way,” Corio co-coach Darren Bennett said.
“All in One Support Services jumped on as our major sponsor, and Mark and the guys have been fantastic.
“It’s a day for mental health.”
It’s not the first time Corio has held a mental health event.
Former AFL players Dylan Buckley and Daniel Gorringe visited the Devils last year as part of the Tackle Your Feelings initiative.
“Talking about mental health has become the real norm at our club,” Bennett said.
Corio is among 22 clubs across the Geelong & District, Bellarine and Geelong leagues in action this weekend.
Among the highlights is the match-up of GFNL grand finalists Leopold and South Barwon at Anakie on Saturday.
Fellow GFNL clubs North Shore and St Albans do battle at Windsor Park on Saturday.
The only interleague clash is the meeting of Bellarine finalist Modewarre and GDFNL battler Belmont Lions at Community Bank Oval.
X: @krockfootball
LOCAL PRACTICE MATCHES – MARCH 22-24
BANNOCKBURN
March 23 – vs. Gordon @ Victoria Park – 12pm
BELL PARK
March 23 – vs. Altona @ Altona
BELMONT LIONS
March 22 – vs. Modewarre @ Community Bank Oval – 6pm
COLAC
March 23 – vs. Terang Mortlake @ Terang
CORIO
March 23 – vs. Otway Districts @ All In One Oval – Corio – 12pm
DRYSDALE
March 23 – vs. Redan @ Redan
EAST GEELONG
March 23 – vs. Dunnstown @ Dunnstown
GEELONG WEST (GDFNL)
March 23 – Rokewood Corindhap @ Rokewood
GEELONG WEST (GFNL)
March 23 – vs. Cobden @ West Oval – 2pm
GROVEDALE
March 23 – Point Cook Centrals @ Burdoo Reserve – 2pm
LARA
March 23 – vs. Werribee Districts @ Bisinella Oval – 2:10pm
LEOPOLD
March 23 – vs. South Barwon @ Anakie – 2pm
MODEWARRE
March 22 – vs. Belmont Lions @ Community Bank Oval – 6pm
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL
March 23 – vs. Uni Blues @ Elderslie Reserve – 2:10pm
NORTH GEELONG
March 23 – vs. Creswick @ Keith Barclay Oval – 1pm
NORTH SHORE
March 23 – vs. St Albans @ Windsor Park – 12pm
SOUTH BARWON
March 23 – vs. Leopold @ Anakie Reserve – 2pm
ST ALBANS
March 23 – vs. North Shore @ Windsor Park – 12pm
ST JOSEPH’S
March 23 – vs. Warrnambool @ Irrewarra
ST MARY’S
March 23 – vs. North Ballarat @ Mars Stadium
THOMSON
March 23 – vs. Birregurra @ St Albans Reserve – 12pm
WERRIBEE CENTRALS
March 23 – vs. Burnside Heights @ Burnside
