For Runaway Bay Seagulls RLFC volunteer Glenn Kuhnemann, promoting mental health awareness is more than a club initiative. It's a responsibility born from personal experience and a desire to protect the people who walk through the club's doors.
As a long-time coach, mentor and Support Squad member within the rugby league community, Kuhnemann has seen firsthand the devastating impact mental health challenges can have on individuals, families and clubs.
Over the years, the club has lost boys and men to suicide. These heartbreaking experiences motivated Glenn and the Runaway Bay Seagulls committee to take meaningful action.
At the beginning of every season, the club now hosts a dedicated mental health session for all players. The hour-and-a-half meeting focuses on mental wellbeing, encouraging players to look out for one another and reminding them that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
"We wanted to create an environment where people felt comfortable having conversations and checking in on their mates," Kuhnemann said.
As the club's Mental Health First Aid Responder, Kuhnemann plays an important role in supporting members, but he is quick to point out that creating a positive culture is a collective effort.
"Although I am the Mental Health First Aid Responder for the club, it takes the whole club, committee, coaching staff and support staff to create an environment where everyone in our community feels relaxed enough to come and talk to someone when things aren't going so well," he said.
We try to create that open-door culture to help address a problem that affects every club and community in society.
The initiative also recognises the support of the White Cloud Foundation, an organisation that has become an important resource for members of the club who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
If players need support, they are encouraged to connect with the foundation and access the services available to them.
"It's a way to emphasise the foundation and the work they do in the background," Kuhnemann said.
Discussions and action around mental health lay dormant until something severe happens. If we don't change our paths for kids in contact with us, we're not doing enough.
For Kuhnemann, the importance of these conversations became even more apparent following the loss of a young player he coached who was just 19 years old.
The tragedy reinforced his belief that sporting clubs have a vital role to play in supporting the wellbeing of their members.
Earlier this year, the Seagulls further strengthened their commitment to mental health awareness by partnering with the White Cloud Foundation for a special fundraising initiative.
The club produced a custom dark navy jersey featuring its sponsors and raffled it during a club function in July. The community responded with overwhelming support, helping raise $4,000 for the foundation.
The funds were donated to acknowledge the ongoing work White Cloud Foundation does for the Runaway Bay Seniors club and the wider community.
While the jersey raffle was a successful fundraiser, Kuhnemann hopes its greatest impact was helping keep mental health conversations active within the club.
"Our club is the driver," he said. "We want to keep these conversations going and make sure people know there is support available whenever they need it."
In communities across Queensland, rugby league clubs often serve as more than just places to play the game. They are gathering places, support networks and second families.
Through initiatives like those at Runaway Bay Seagulls, community volunteers such as Kuhnemann are ensuring those connections extend beyond the field and into the lives of the people they support every day.
By creating spaces where players can speak openly, seek help and look after one another, Kuhnemann and the wider Seagulls community are helping build a stronger, more connected club, one conversation at a time.
Lifeline 13 11 14
White Cloud 07 3155 3456
