By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
IF ANYONE has a reason to be depressed, it’s Geelong AFL footballer Nathan Vardy.
The talented ruckman forward has only just recovered from persistent hip problems that restricted his on-ground output only to suffer a season-ending ACL tear.
But the Read the Play ambassador is staying positive, according to campaign patron and former Geelong Cats president Frank Costa.
Vardy and netballer Tegan Caldwell were among a number of high-profile sports stars to volunteer to help the burgeoning program, aimed at raising awareness of the issues of mental health among young people.
Established in Geelong in 2006, Read the Play has had the backing of Kempe Engineering since inception, reaching hundreds of boys and girls in under-age football and netball competitions around the region each year.
“When Nathan arrived he had such a bright future, only to be told by some doctors he would never play again because of his hip injury,” Mr Costa said.
“But he worked hard to get himself right and then does his ACL.
“We face growing numbers of young people with depression for no apparent reason,” he said.
“They have a good home and background and often good sporting ability. But the pressures we live under these days means it could strike anyone.
“But that’s also why using young role models like Nathan has given this program its traction because young people can relate.”
Warrnambool, the Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland, Bunbury and Karratha in Western Australia and Murrumbidgee in New South Wales have all adopted the program.
