To the EDFL community,
Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the recent tragic passing of a young man who played for the East Keilor Football Club, Mitchell Celantano.
Mitchell was a promising young footballer who played more than 200 games for East Keilor and made his senior debut with the Cougars in 2017.
On behalf of the entire EDFL community, our thoughts remain with Mitchell’s family, friends and the entire East Keilor Football Club.
Rest in peace, Mitchell.
With Good Friday fast approaching, I would like to welcome you all to Season 2021. There is clearly a pent-up demand for a return to competition and we can, with cautious optimism, prepare for a season of competitive football, but be prepared that we will all face new challenges.
So, let’s all work together.
Best wishes to all our Clubs and competitors and everyone involved.
I just want to take a moment of your time to talk about a very personal subject – one’s health.
Last year, in the middle of the pandemic, I lost my younger brother to a heart attack. He was the middle boy in the family and acknowledged to be ‘the fit one’. This loss and the acceptance that heart attacks, often fatal, are part of my family history on both my mother’s and father’s side led my siblings and I to take action.
My siblings and I all agreed to get ourselves checked out and so followed specialist consultations and various tests, etc. The medical examinations and tests revealed to one of my siblings an undiagnosed heart condition which required urgent medical intervention, which I have no doubt averted a serious heart attack that could have easily ended up with tragic consequences.
I have since found out that in the last month or two, two of our Club Presidents have suffered heart attacks and thankfully, both are recovering. Each have had to make changes to their lives and acknowledged their vulnerability.
Their experiences and my own personal story not only re-enforces the importance of our own health and wellbeing, but the responsibility we each have to better look after ourselves and also to keep an eye out for each other.
Wherever you contribute and at whatever level you serve, you will experience circumstances and workloads that will put you under pressure, need to deal with sensitive and sometimes tragic situations or even feel under-appreciated. Your physical health and mental wellbeing can be affected.
No matter what level of our EDFL community you serve, your contribution is appreciated and welcomed, but your health and wellbeing should be your number one priority.
Please don’t be brave and shrug off aches and pains, or feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety.
Please take care of yourself and be on the lookout for those around you.
Bernie Shinners
EDFL Chairman
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE
If you or someone you know needs assistance:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or at beyondblue.org.au
