The Werribee Tigers footy team roared to victory to beat the Box Hill Hawks by 21 points and take out the inaugural Victorian Football League beyondblue Cup on May 3.

The first VFL cup match was held at Chirnside Park in Werribee to raise awareness of depression, anxiety and associated drug and alcohol problems within the sporting community.

Despite the team rivalry, both teams joined forces to tackle an even greater foe: depression. The teams have signed on to play the annual VFL beyondblue cup for the next three years. Deputy PM Julia Gillard attended the game - held on her home turf - to show support for the cause.

For the past three years, Hawthorn and Geelong have battled it out at the MCG in the AFL version of the beyondblue cup.

beyondblue CEO Leonie Young, who presented the cup to Werribee Captain Dom Gleeson, said it was a great opportunity to raise awareness of depression among footy fans and the local community.

"Three million Australians currently live with depression and/or an anxiety disorder. The beyondblue Cup is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of depression among footy fans and the local community," she said.

"Of course, Werribee fans will be delighted their home team came out on top today, but both teams played to win the game and to win the fight against depression. We are very proud to be involved in country football."

In March, the Werribee Football Club teamed up with beyondblue to help raise awareness of depression and reduce the associated stigma within the sporting community. The partnership was inspired by a partnership beyondblue has formed with the Werribee Banner newspaper - which runs articles on mental health every week.

The VFL beyondblue Cup follows a public forum on depression held in Hoppers Crossing, attended by more than 400 people.

The Werribee Tigers' newest recruit, former AFL North Melbourne player Nathan Thompson, experienced depression at the height of his football career. Thompson has been a beyondblue Ambassador for five years and often speaks publicly about how he managed his depression at an elite level.

"Anyone can get depression, even athletes. In my case, I felt alone and didn't think anyone would understand what I was going through," Thompson said.

"It's important to get the message out that it's better to talk about your problems and ask for help than to try and soldier on. I only wish that beyondblue was around when I was a young guy first starting in the AFL. I hope this partnership encourages other players to feel that they can put up their hand and get help."

General Manager of the Werribee Football Club, Mark Penaluna, said as part of this partnership, the club members will work with local schools and community groups to promote beyondblue.

"Our players are 100 per cent behind this because depression has touched many of them in some way - whether it's because they've had a family member or friend go through it, or they have had issues themselves," he said.

President of the Box Hill Hawks John Ure added: "Our club congratulates the Werribee Tigers on forming a partnership with beyondblue and we were delighted to compete for the inaugural VFL beyondblue Cup."

To read more about the work beyondblue does with the sporting community click here.
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=4.1032#sports_program