Cork Business League Joins Forces with Head in the Game to Launch Captain’s Armband Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cork Business League Joins Forces with Head in the Game to Launch Captain Armband Initiative in 2024 Season

CORK, IRELAND – 21st December 2023

The Cork Business League (CBL) is proud to announce today, on the shortest day of the year, a partnership with Head in the Game, supporting Jigsaw and Shine charities to introduce an initiative during the second half of the 2023 / 2024 season – the CBL Captain’s Armband Initiative. This collaboration aims to raise awareness about mental health, provide support for people facing challenges, and foster a sense of community within the Cork football scene.

Our Captain’s Armband Initiative is a unique campaign that will see team captains in the Cork Business League don specially designed armbands featuring the Head in the Game logo. This initiative underscores the commitment of the CBL, Head in the Game, Jigsaw, and Shine to promote mental well-being and create a positive impact on the lives of individuals in the CBL and across the wider footballing community in Cork and beyond.

The Cork Business League recognises the influence and leadership role captains play within their teams and believes that the armband initiative will serve as a powerful platform to initiate important conversations about mental health. By visibly displaying support for mental health awareness during matches, captains will encourage open dialogue and help break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Head in the Game, Jigsaw, and Shine charities are integral partners in this initiative, each contributing their expertise to address various aspects of mental health and well-being. Head in the Game focuses on mental health in football Jigsaw specialises in supporting the mental health of young people, and Shine is dedicated to supporting individuals affected by mental ill-health.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Head in the Game, Jigsaw, and Shine to bring the Captain;s Armband Initiative to the Cork Business League. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and through this initiative, we aim to foster a supportive environment for our players, teams, and the broader community,” said Peter Travers, Secretary at the Cork Business League.

The official launch of the Captain Armband Initiative will take place at throughout January, where representatives from the Cork Business League will be present at all CBL games to share insights into the initiative and its impact on the community.

About Cork Business League

The Cork Business League (CBL) is an association football league with it’s principal objective being to build and maintain a platform for businesses and organisations in the Cork region to participate in competitive football matches. Teams are often composed of employees or representatives from these businesses. The league serves both as a recreational and competitive outlet for individuals interested in football, fostering a sense of community among local businesses.

About Head in the Game

Head in the Game was initially set up by a group of Dundalk FC fans, with the goal of starting a positive conversation about mental health and well-being in the Irish football community, and wider Irish society. They want to provoke important discussions and create awareness about mental health while breaking down the stigma that comes with it. However, common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety still have negative connotations attached to them, and admission of suffering is still perceived as a weakness by many. Head in the Game is inclusive to all, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

About Jigsaw

Since 2006, through an integrated approach, focused on improving mental health outcomes for young people. Jigsaw has remained steadfast in our commitment to help create an Ireland where young people are connected to their community, have easy-to-access support and services to face challenges to their mental health.

In developing Together, Jigsaw’s Organisational Strategy 2022-2025, they are keenly aware of key drivers of change – the defining role the Covid-19 pandemic has played, and will continue to play, in all our lives; the scale and impact of climate change on our lives and the lives of those to come; the ever increasing role of digital technologies across societies; changes to patterns of consumption; the growing global debate on issues of social justice, race and diversity and more.

About Shine

Since their establishment as a national organisation in 1979, Shine has worked tirelessly to shape better policies and services for all those affected by mental health challenges. They support individuals and groups to enhance their recovery, challenge negative attitudes and behaviours and deliver a variety of programmes and services.

Shine is proud to be the only national mental health organisation specifically founded to support all family members.

Their teams provide a range of services to support individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges and their families and supporters.