Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A rugby league club with links to two young boys who took their own lives within just days of each other has vowed to champion mental health causes in their memory.
Treyvon Bradshaw and Kaiyah Kennedy, aged 13 and 12 respectively, both died in tragic circumstances in recent weeks.
Both boys had links to Coomera Cutters Rugby League Club, with Treyvon a current player and Kaiyah among its alumni.
Now, as the Gold Coast community mourns the unimaginable loss of the two boys, the club has vowed to use its standing to support others who may be in need.
Cutters president Joe Smith said the incidents had devastated the club’s community.
“It has really hurt our club and all their teammates, they were two of our own and their families were part of our community,” Mr Smith told NewsWire.
“I have young kids myself so it has really got me thinking about what more can be done to raise awareness of mental health and support the local community.”
The club is already involved in the Queensland Rugby League’s Support Squad – a network of volunteers geared at offering mental health support – but Smith said it was looking to further its work to raise awareness.
He said the club was organising an event to give current players more access of mental health and bereavement support and would also host fundraisers in the future to keep the memory of the boys alive.
“At the end of the day, community sport is about community first,” he said.
“While some children may go on to the NRL, most of the boys just want to be a part of something, see their mates and play sport.
“Sometimes those two hours a week of training can be a break for them and their chance to let loose, play a bit of footy and be with their mates.
“One life lost in this way is too many, let alone two, so we’re trying to see if there’s anything we can do as a club to help get things out there.”
Treyvon died at the age of 13 on September 26, while Kaiyah died at 12 on Friday, October 2.
Both boys were from the north Gold Coast area and had strong connections to Coomera Cutters.
Fundraisers organised in their memories have raised more than $50,000 combined.
“We do not have all the answers, but as a community we want to create a space where people can come, feel supporting and talk to somebody,” Mr Smith added.
“The families are pretty distraught and as a community we want to do anything we can to help support them.
“We also want to see more education about mental health and encourage people to speak up if they are struggling – it is never weak to speak.”
Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
