Four games across Ireland
to mark end of International
Men's Mental Health Week
Jumpers For Goalposts (J4G) was established in 2019. It is a volunteer-run movement that encourages men of different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and abilities to come together for an old-fashioned game of football using ‘jumpers for goalposts’.
The idea is the brainchild of Dublin based mental health activist Keith Kelly. It followed the success of a poem and video he created for World Mental Health Week back in 2018.
In the poem Keith talks about his fond memories of a life lived outdoors, away from mobile phones and computer games. Large groups would throw down their jumpers to make goal posts and spend the day playing football together.
The video attracted a huge response. Keith got thinking about the possibility of recreating that experience in the form of a casual Sunday morning game of football in his native Ballybrack.
What followed was the beginning of something special. Approximately 65 men in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s responded. All were keen to come together, have a laugh, and enjoy a bit of fresh air and community spirit without taking themselves too seriously.
Many of them hadn’t seen each other in years. Some had been through big hardships including depression, bereavement, illness, addiction, separation and more. But all had the same goal – to get out and about and enjoy a bit of craic through social connection.
Players could choose to play for just a few minutes, or for an entire match. The main thing was to keep it lighthearted, inclusive, non-competitive, and enjoyable for all.
Before Covid the idea had grown and flourished. When restrictions and lockdowns were put in place, we attempted to keep the J4G flag flying with alternative online productions. You can watch some of those projects on our J4G Media page.
Jumpers for Goalposts is keen to get back out and about, encouraging people to come together for chats, laughs and a little bit of non-competitive football.
Joining forces with Mental Health Ireland
As part of our efforts to get back out and about and build on the successes we have had to date we have joined forces with Mental Health Ireland. This is to try and provide something more than just a game of football
Established in 1966 Mental Health Ireland is the longest established mental health charity in Ireland. Throughout their existence they have played a central role, along with Mental Health Associations across Ireland, in reshaping how the public understand mental health issues.
Mental Health Ireland has been front and centre in promoting positive mental health, supporting people with lived experience of mental health challenges in their recovery and bringing practical expression to national policy objectives.
By joining forces with Jumpers for Goalposts, Mental Health Ireland hope to reach an audience of mainly, but not exclusively, men who might otherwise have been missed. You can find out more about Mental Health Ireland and their campaigns at www.mentalhealthIreland.ie
Jumpers for Goalposts is just a game of football like you remember from when you were a child. It’s a group of people in your community coming together with a football, on a patch of grass, throwing down a few jumpers for goalposts and just enjoying themselves.
No pressure, no competition and no judgement. Just laughs, chats, a bit of fresh air and activity. Simple. And all for free!
But you need to let people know that it's happening and where. So identify a patch of grass in your community suitable for a game of football. Let people know by social media or with notices in your local community centres or shops when and where the game is taking place.
Give people as much notice as you can - ideally a week to 10 days. Ask people to share venue and time on their social media platforms. Remind people regularly via social media in the lead up to the game.
Make sure your patch of grass is clear of any debris or rubbish. You don't need a football pitch. You don't need markings, corner flags, nets or anything else. You just need a bit of ground big enough to hold a game.
Ok the ball is crucial but feel free to use a jacket, shirt, cardigan, coat or any other item of clothing in place of a jumper for your goalposts!
Nominate two people to select two teams. Make sure everybody introduces themselves to each other.
This is a non-competitive game of football. There are no off-sides. And there is no need for a Ref.
Half time is when people need a break. As you look to end the game just call next goal the winner. Have some water available.
We'd love to hear how you got on. Take some pictures of the day and tell us of your experience. Send to info@jumpersforgoalposts.ie
Jumpers for Goalposts is a mental health and wellbeing initiative aimed primarily at men over the age of 18. The aim is to help men reconnect with friends and neighbours in a safe, healthy and fun environment. It provides them with an opportunity to seek and offer support to each other, if needed.
WE ARE NOT A SERVICE PROVIDER
If you are affected by depression, anxiety or find it difficult to cope we would urge you to seek support from professionals.
Your family doctor is usually the first person to approach in relation to mental health concerns. Many people attend their General Practitioner (GP) when they feel they need more support for their mental health. In an emergency situation, and outside of GP hours, it is advised to attend your local accident and emergency department in your local hospital.
Mental Health Ireland also provide a list of Mental Health Services and Helplines - just click the button below.
Wellbeing is feeling good about yourself, the world around you and functioning well in everyday life, most of the time. Being resilient and coping with the normal stresses of life is also an important attribute of wellbeing.
Mental Health Ireland's Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple actions to practice each day to maintain or improve our mental health and wellbeing.
Make time each day to Connect. Connect with the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. By staying connected and nurturing these relationships we feel happier and more secure, giving us a better sense of purpose.
Look for ways to be active everyday. Go for a walk or a run. Step outside. Cycle, play a game, garden or dance. Discover a physical activity you enjoy which suits your lifestyle and level of mobility and fitness. Research has shown being physically active can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Be Curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Pay attention to the present moment – to your thoughts, feelings and to the world around you.
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Cook a new recipe. Take on a new responsibility. Setting yourself a new challenge and learning a new skill will increase your confidence which can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Giving to others is good for you. Do something nice for someone else. Thank someone. Volunteer your time or join a community group. See yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and create connectedness with the people around you.
For more about the Mental Health Ireland's Five Ways to Wellbeing click here.
Thank you for contacting Jumpers for Goalposts.
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
DISCLAIMER: Jumpers for Goalposts is NOT an organisation. It is simply an idea. Those associated with promoting Jumpers for Goalposts accept no liability whatsoever for any sort of bodily injury, illness or death sustained by any person participating in a game of Jumpers for Goalposts or any loss or damage to possessions or goods by whatsoever and howsoever their loss or damage is caused.
By playing a game of Jumpers for Goalposts you are confirming that you are a legal consenting adult or have parental or guardian consent; that you are physically fit in every way to be able to participate in these events; that you acknowledge that all sports has a risk of physical injury and accept full responsibility for all such risks as a condition of participation.
By playing a game of Jumpers for Goalposts you are agreeing to indemnify the event organisers for any and all the claims, loss and expenses of any sort arising from your participation in the game as a player and/or spectator.