State of Origin One Pass changing States of Mind in footy

When it comes to State of Origin, we know NSW and Queensland are sworn enemies in the battle for supremacy on the field. But what if we told you this year, the Blues and Maroons are on the same side?

That’s right, both teams have come together to help build mental fitness in local footy communities through our new ‘One Pass at a Time’ campaign. We’ve teamed up with the NRL through the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series to share the important message, ‘One pass can change a game - and one conversation can change a life.’

Don’t take our word for it. Hear the message straight from Maroons skipper Daley Cherry Evans and Blue’s captain James Tedesco in this beautiful video created by our friends at the Nine Network.

Against a backdrop of players showing support for each other at training and on game day, James and Daley encourage us all build mental - not just physical - fitness and support each other through having conversations that can change and save lives.

For James, building mental fitness allows him to centre his breathing, flush out negative thoughts and feel present in the moment to get on with the job on game day. His message to other footy players? Talk to someone when things aren’t going great, rather than bottling it up.

“There’s a stigma for athletes about not showing your emotions too much or keeping things to yourself and not talking about your feelings, but it’s really important for us to be there to support our teammates with whatever they’re going through, and open up. That certainly feels better than holding it all in. Getting it off your mind, talking to someone, helps so much,” James says.

An Origin game can change in an instant with one pass that opens up the play. A life can change for the better, with one conversation, when we open up to each other.

That’s one thing both Origin sides agree on this year.

You can join James and Daly in supporting mental fitness in grassroots footy by buying a Virtual One Pass today. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us provide mental fitness resources and workshop places to players and coaches at grassroots clubs. You can get yours here.