SMFNC

A powerful conversation on mental health

Last night we were proud to host a mental health Ssssion at the club as part of our inaugural Mental Health Match Round, an initiative raising awareness and funds for Beyond Blue.

The evening brought together players, members and the wider club community to hear from AFL player Aidan Corr and mental health professional Nicole Jordan, who generously shared their time, knowledge and personal experiences.

Nicole, who holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, and is a Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor, spoke about the importance of understanding mental health, recognising when someone may need support, and creating environments where people feel safe to ask for help.

Aidan then shared his own journey, speaking openly about the challenges he has faced and the importance of looking after your mental wellbeing, particularly within a professional sporting environments. His honesty and willingness to share his story left a lasting impact on those in attendance.

Together, the presenters highlighted the important role community sporting clubs play in fostering connection, encouraging conversations around mental health, and reminding people that no one has to face challenges alone.

We hope everyone who attended walked away with valuable insights, practical tools, and the confidence to check in on teammates, friends and family when they might need support.

We’d like to again thank Aidan and Nicole for their time, as well as Pat Waldron for hosting the evening, and Jo Kitchell, Adam Shaw and Micaela Hanlon for their work in organising the event.

The Mental Health Match Round continues across the weekend, with our football and netball teams proudly wearing blue armbands to show their support for mental health awareness.

If you are able to, please consider supporting our campaign by making a donation to Beyond Blue. Every contribution helps us move closer to our fundraising goal while supporting the vital work Beyond Blue does for Australians experiencing mental health challenges.

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Jack Bianchin re-signed as Head Coach!

We are delighted to announce that Jack Bianchin has been reappointed as Senior Men’s Football Head Coach for the 2027 season.

Following another strong year both on and off the field, with our Senior Men currently sitting second on the ladder, the club has extended Jack’s contract for another season.

Jack has helped build a positive culture and exciting brand of football, and we’re looking forward to continuing that journey together.

NAIDOC Week: Unveiling our First Nations guernseys

Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, and we’re proud to acknowledge and celebrate the First Nations people within our club and wider community.

This year’s theme, 50 Years Deadly, celebrates five decades of NAIDOC Week honouring culture, resilience, truth and the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It recognises the Elders, leaders, artists and communities who have shaped this movement, while looking ahead to the next generation who will continue to lead with strength and pride.

As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, we’re incredibly proud to unveil our new First Nations guernseys. With both Senior Women’s teams having a bye next weekend during NAIDOC Week, the guernseys were proudly worn in Friday night’s matches (3 July), allowing our players to celebrate and recognise the occasion on the field.

Made possible by a $4,500 grant from First People Assembly of Victoria, the original artwork was designed by Toneya Kennedy, a proud Barkindji woman, celebrating culture, community and connection through a uniquely meaningful design.

Before Friday night’s games, Teegan Brown, sister of Senior Women’s player Jaydah Hope, officially presented the guernseys to both teams. Teegan played a key role in securing the funding that made the project possible and was instrumental in bringing the guernsey design to life. She also spoke to the players about the significance of the artwork, sharing the stories and meaning behind the design and what it represents.

These guernseys are more than just a uniform, they are a symbol of recognition, connection and our club’s ongoing commitment to celebrating First Nations culture and creating an inclusive community where everyone belongs.

A special thank you to Teegan Brown and Micaela Hanlon for their work in securing the funding that brought these incredible guernseys to life.

This NAIDOC Week, we encourage our entire St Mary’s community to take the time to listen, learn and celebrate the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

Rising star: Jo Denton talent identified

Congratulations to Jo Denton from our 17&Under Netball team for being talent identified at this year’s Netball Victoria Association Championships!

Jo is one of just seven NFNL representatives selected and has now been invited to trial for the 2026 Netball Victoria Talent Academy — an incredible achievement and opportunity!

Jo’s journey is one that our club is incredibly proud of. She was part of our inaugural 15&Under netball team, the first-ever junior netball side at our club. Since then, she has continued to develop her game, progressing into our 17&Under team and earlier this year achieving another milestone by making her senior open netball debut.

From day one, our vision has been to create genuine pathways for young girls to develop their skills, build confidence, and pursue high-performance netball opportunities, while also building a strong pipeline of homegrown talent into our senior program. Jo’s success is a wonderful example of that vision becoming reality.

We wish Jo every success as she prepares to trial for the Netball Victoria Talent Academy this November.

Recognising Pride Month

On Sunday, our Division 1 Senior Women proudly wore rainbow armbands and ribbons in recognition of Pride Month.

At St Mary’s, we believe everyone deserves to feel welcome, valued and included. Football is more than a game — it’s about connection, community and creating a place where people can be themselves.

We’re proud to celebrate diversity and stand alongside the LGBTQIA+ community, both on and off the field. Together, we continue to build a club where everyone belongs.

Standing together for better mental health

We’re proud to be hosting a Beyond Blue Mental Health Match across all senior football and netball games from 17–19 July 2026, raising both vital funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.

At St Mary’s, we know sport is about much more than what happens on game day. Every week, our players, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters navigate the pressures of work, study, family life, injuries and everyday challenges.

“Footy clubs are often the first place people turn to for connection, support and a sense of belonging,” said Club President Mark Stanley.

“By hosting a Mental Health Match, we’re helping create a community where it’s okay to speak up, check in on a mate and seek support when it’s needed. We’re proud to stand alongside Beyond Blue and play our part in breaking down the stigma around mental health.”

Across the weekend, our football and netball players will wear blue armbands in support of the cause, helping spark conversations and show solidarity with those experiencing mental health challenges.

Every donation helps Beyond Blue continue providing information, support and hope to Australians experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

Stay tuned for more activities and events planned throughout the week as we champion better mental health in our community.

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St Mary’s community unites for Big Freeze 12

A huge congratulations to our junior club on an incredible Big Freeze event, raising $7,195 for Fight MND!

What an amazing effort from everyone involved in organising, participating and supporting such an important cause.

A special shoutout to Matilda Eames and Sarah Johnston, two of our Senior Women’s players who also coach at the junior club, for bravely taking part in the Big Freeze slide challenge and helping raise awareness and funds in the fight against MND.

As a senior club, we’re especially proud to see our players leading by example, showing the next generation what it means to give back both on and off the field.

Men’s Health Week 2026

Today marks the start of Men’s Health Week, an important opportunity to highlight the health and wellbeing of men and boys across our St Mary’s community.

Men’s Health Week is about more than physical fitness. It’s also about mental health, emotional wellbeing and creating a culture where looking after yourself is encouraged and supported.

This year’s Australian theme is “See a GP” — a reminder that if something doesn’t feel right, physically, mentally or emotionally, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional. Early action can make all the difference.

There are plenty of ways to get involved this week:
– Get active – join a team, go for a walk, or set a new fitness goal.
– Book a health check-up – routine screenings and assessments can help detect health issues early.
– Start a conversation – talking openly about stress, anxiety and mental wellbeing helps break down stigma and encourages people to seek support when they need it.

Together, we can help create a healthier, stronger and more connected community.

Find a GP and book a check-up

Help us save lives!

It’s World Blood Donor Day, and our St Mary’s Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team has already saved 15 lives this year through blood and plasma donations.

Countless Aussies rely on blood donations everyday. In fact, 1 in 3 will need a blood donation blood in their lifetime. That’s about 65 of our netball and football players! That’s why we’re encouraging everyone in our community who can to donate blood.

Just one blood donation can save up to three lives and takes just 10 minutes of your time. So whether it’s for an ice-cold Nippy’s or hot pie, to support cancer patients, or simply because it feels good to help, check your eligibility and book today.

Ready to start saving lives? To join our Lifeblood team create or log in to your Lifeblood account and search “St Mary’s Football and Netball Club Greensborough.”

Donate now

Vote for us to win $20k!

St Mary’s is in the running to win the People’s Choice Award as part of the 2026 Woolworths Netball Grants Program.

The club that receives the most votes nationally will be awarded $20,000, and we’re asking our community to get behind us.

Since launching junior netball in 2024, our program has grown rapidly, creating opportunities for more local children to get involved in team sport. Our vision is to build a strong and sustainable netball program that develops players from a young age and supports them throughout their entire netball journey.

By creating a clear junior-to-senior pathway, we can help young players build their skills, confidence and love of the game while ensuring St Mary’s continues to have strong senior teams into the future. Developing local talent from within the club creates a sustainable pipeline of players who can progress through the grades, represent St Mary’s at senior level and strengthen our netball program for years to come.

At St Mary’s, we are committed to helping young people stay active, build confidence, develop friendships and create a lifelong love of sport in a positive and supportive environment.

Voting is free, takes less than a minute and could make a significant difference to the future of our netball program.

Vote now