Luke Adams (front) with Jake Ritchie, Mark Sleigh, Chris Beaty and Steve Ashworth. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
For Shellharbour Suns player Luke Adams, the new logo on his playing shorts is more than just a sponsorship — it’s personal.
After battling depression and losing a close friend to suicide, he’s proud to see his club partner with Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) to promote men’s mental health.
For the upcoming AFL South Coast season on Saturday (5 April), the Shellharbour Suns will don the HIM logo and take part in the Tomorrow Man program, equipping players with the tools to break down outdated ideas of masculinity and support one another — on and off the field.
As one of many organisations now going through the fully funded and free of charge program, HIM and the Suns are calling on more schools, clubs and community groups to take up the opportunity to build respectful, healthy communities.
“I’m a big advocate of mental health as someone who’s gone through depression myself, had family members go through it and a best friend take their own life,” Luke said.
“Having a mining background too, mental health is very big in the underground world, and wherever we can promote it, I’m all for.
“I’m definitely proud to wear them on our shorts as a sponsor.”
He said it went beyond just a logo on a pair of shorts, with the partnership helping open lines of communication between players, providing them with the right tools and promoting the message throughout the community.
“If it’s readily available, accessible and visible, it’s going to open people up to reaching out if they need that help,” he said.
“I know I can be a bit stubborn, and I do forget about a lot of the services which are available.”
He said wearing the logo every week would serve as a reminder of what was available to them and that they had “all the help in the world”.
“This club is all about helping each other out, whether that help is to move house or find a job or mental health,” he said.
He pauses.
“Out of all the sponsors we’ve had, this is the one that really holds a place in my heart.”
Club president Steve Ashworth said the partnership was creating further positive change within men’s sport and across generations, especially when fielding a group of young men.
“We try our best to keep on top of mental health – signs, conversations and all the things we do in society, we do here,” Steve said.
“So having this as a tool and as a partnership to work with is so important for us.”
He said the collaboration showed the community they were actively helping players get through day-to-day life and the positive cultural changes within men’s sport today.
“I’m from the old age of the 80s and when I played footy it was ‘anything goes,’” he said.
“The stuff we did then wouldn’t cut it in today’s society and it’s the same with the mental health side. We were doing things that you thought meant you’re a man, but we weren’t.
“Now, there’s more of a spotlight on mental health, and it’s just a great thing to say, ‘Hey, we’re behind you, we’re happy to talk about it, happy to promote it and happy to live it.’”
He said he would now be encouraging players to go through the Tomorrow Man program to gain life-changing tools.
“We’ve come across, through our own eyes and ears, players that are struggling and we’ve pointed them in the right direction in a medical sense,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s just a conversation and they feel better. But we can learn more about those conversations – what are the right things to say and not the, ‘Oh, you’ll be right, mate’.
“As a club, we’re not just about winning games – we’re about building a stronger, healthier community.”
HIM chair Mark Sleigh said the partnership highlighted the growing importance of addressing men’s mental health and building positive role models within communities.
Mark said the Suns were a perfect fit, as they embodied the spirit of teamwork, inclusivity, and community leadership.
“By wearing the Healthier Illawarra Men logo, the Suns are sending a powerful message to their players, fans, and the wider community that men’s health matters,” he said.
“Together, we can challenge harmful stereotypes and empower men to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
“People asking the question while they’re sitting in the stand, you never know where that’s going to take it.
“We always say that if you can touch one person through any of the activities we undertake, to ask a question or to reach out to somebody, that’s what we’re all about.”
He said the Tomorrow Man program aimed to help redefine masculinity.
“There’s nothing wrong with men being men, but at the end of the day, times have changed and we can still show signs of leadership, but we can also show signs of vulnerability and compassion and be better people in our local communities,” he said.
Mark said the program had already been run through five Illawarra schools, with more schools, surf clubs and rugby league clubs next in line.
“As much as today is a celebration of the Shellharbour Suns and the partnership with Healthier Illawarra Men, it’s also a callout for any community groups who can see benefit in their young men becoming part of the program to please reach out,” he said.
After finishing fourth last season after being knocked out of the series by the eventual premiers, the Suns are looking forward to starting afresh with their first game against Bomaderry on Saturday.
Learn more about Healthier Illawarra Men, or to arrange a workshop contact Healthier Illawarra Men on [email protected]
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
