10 February 2021 | Tennis West

Aiming to raise much needed funds for the Regional Men’s Health Initiative (RMHI), players from across the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions will hit the courts of the Hyden Tennis Club on Thursday 18 February, for the clubs annual Men’s Doubles Tournament.

With the state government supported RMHI focused on improving the health and wellbeing of men in rural Western Australia, the tournament aims to raise both funds and the profile of men’s mental health by igniting conversations between regional men.

More than 60 players are expected to travel from Katanning, Beverley, Lake Grace and as far south as Albany, with Tournament Coordinator and former Hyden Tennis Club President Jeremy James saying the event is a wonderful opportunity for physical activity, socialising and networking.

“Tennis gives a lot of the blokes in the region the opportunity to see different people from who they work with each day,”

“The tournament brings men together and for some of us who have been through our own challenges it’s a good opportunity to come together,”

“It’s good to know when the time is needed to ask for help and it’s good to find out that you’re not that far out of position as you think you are, once you talk to plenty of other blokes,’ James said.

Supported by the Shire of Kondinin and more than 15 local businesses rallying together in support of the event, local business owner, Ashley Rogers of Mitre 10 Waveline Hardware, says the tournament is an important event for the region.

“Men’s health is really important in today’s society, it’s something that’s pretty close to home, so being able to support the event is something that means a lot to us,” Rogers said.

Supported by the State Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and operating in the Wheatbelt, Mid West and Great Southern regions since 2002, the RMHI offers men’s mental health services across rural and regional Western Australia. Aiming to address mental health issues through education, support and advocacy work, the RMHI works to empower men, their families and communities to take responsibility for their wellbeing and health.

To find out more about the RMHI, please head to: http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/projects/Agriculture/Pages/Regional-Mens-Health-Initiative.aspx

The 2019 Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that across Australia and within their lifetime, one in eight men will experience depression whilst one in five will experience anxiety. If you, or someone you know needs support, please contact:

Beyond Blue                  1300 224 636

Lifeline                              13 11 14

MensLine                         1300 789 978

Tennis West acknowledges and thanks the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for its ongoing support of tennis in Western Australia