Driven by star halfback Nicho Hynes, the Sharks' inaugural Mental Fitness Round will launch against the Dragons at PointsBet Stadium this Sunday, May 5.
Taking place in Round 9 of the Telstra Premiership in collaboration with Gotcha4Life, the goal for Mental Fitness Round is to amplify the significance of building one's mental and emotional strength, showing vulnerability and supporting family and friends.
The initiative is the brainchild of Hynes, a passionate mental health advocate who has spoken openly and courageously about his experiences.
In partnering with leading not-for-profit mental fitness organisation Gotcha4Life, founded by media personality and mental fitness advocate Gus Worland in 2017, Hynes ultimately hopes Mental Fitness Round grows to become an annual themed NRL round engaging all clubs.
Gotcha4Life will be the dedicated 50-50 Charity Raffle fundraising recipient at the match.
"My motivation for Mental Fitness Round is to encourage open conversations, checking in on your mates and becoming mentally fit," Hynes said.
"I know firsthand the power of vulnerability and connection.
"As a footballer, I dedicate a lot of time to looking after my body, but exercising the mind is even more crucial for not just my performance but my everyday life."
The Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles have competed for the Gotcha4Life Cup since 2022, with the Sharks now aiming to put the spotlight on building mental fitness.
The seed for Gotcha4Life was planted in Gus Worland's mind after he bravely opened up about the loss of his best mate and mentor on radio with Triple M and was blown away by the overwhelming response from listeners who shared their own stories.
"There's not a more important conversation right now than making sure people are mentally fit to get through life's ups and downs," Gus said.
"At Gotcha4Life, we teach people the skills to build the emotional muscles they need to open up about how they're feeling, and importantly, to seek help when they need it.
"We want to get our message out to as many people as we can, and to have the Sharks support us in that is incredible. "
Delivering valuable mental fitness programs, workshops and resources to schools, sporting organisations and workplaces across the country, Gus and Gotcha4Life have a vision of a suicide-free world where no one worries alone.
Underlining the need for mental fitness training are alarming statistics such as:
- Nine Australian lives are lost each day to suicide - seven men, two women.
- A staggering 16.7% of the population (3.3 million people) have had serious thoughts about ending their own life.
- One in two Australians have needed mental health support in last three months.
Vinh Tran, Sharks Head of Community and Government Relations, added: "Nicho came to the club with the idea for a Mental Fitness Round and has been integral in bringing it to life along with Gus and the team at Gotcha4Life.
"I encourage all Sharks fans to support the occasion and use it as a chance to reflect on their mental fitness.”
In the lead-up to Mental Fitness Round, stay tuned to the Sharks' media channels to watch Hynes lead a series of candid conversations about mental fitness with Gus, teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele and NRLW captain Tiana Penitani.
