Swans Appoint Club Chaplain

The Swan Districts Football Club recently appointed one of it’s past players Rod Manton as the Chaplain for the senior men’s squad.

“At Swans we acknowledge that mental health is a significant and increasing concern in the community we belong. Our club is not immune to these challenges and has decided to take a proactive approach to assist all Swans people to be the best they can,” says club Chief Executive Officer Jeff Dennis. 

“The club’s strategic plan 2018 – 2022 includes objectives to provide a positive, healthy and caring environment for our people to aspire to be the best they can and to develop our people’s capability by providing continuing education, training and wellbeing”.

The facts are one in four young Australians currently have a mental health condition and suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians and accounts for more deaths of young people than car accidents. Self-reported mental health issues in young Australians aged 18-24 involved in local football is substantially higher than the general population.

“It's important that we create a safe and secure place for our people. We need an environment where our players, staff and volunteers can feel that’s it’s not only ok, but it’s perfectly normal to reach out and talk to someone when they need to.”

Rod’s an Associate Pastor at the Bassendean Church of Christ and is accredited with Sports Chaplaincy Australia. He will become an integral part of the senior men’s playing squad and will help the club create an open and caring environment.

The club’s sports chaplaincy program complements the mental health education sessions and welfare support program provided by Outside The Locker Room. The Swans OTLR program includes topics on depression and anxiety, drugs and alcohol education, social media and cyber bullying, gambling and inclusion and respect. The program has been going for two years at the club and now includes both the men’s and women’s senior playing groups.

Rocket Rod, as he was known by players and supporters, played 13 League games for Swan Districts between 2010 and 2013, kicking three goals and averaging 11 disposals a game.  

The club is still searching for a chaplain for its women’s football program.

Since the mid 1980’s, Sports Chaplaincy Australia has worked closely with Australian sports to provide well-resourced and quality personnel as chaplains to their respective sports. Because of its diversity it has established a common code of conduct and training program for chaplains in both high-performance and local sports settings, thus providing a national umbrella accreditation program. All SCA chaplains are professionally accredited, insured and accountable to Sports Chaplaincy Australia.

Rod can be contacted on 0401 031 282.