CHANGE THE GAME

The Mackay Cutters’ award-winning Change the Game mental health initiative is the first of its kind in Australian rugby league. Our mission is to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing, promote suicide prevention, and connect the community with local support networks.

All six Mackay Cutters teams wear the Change the Game logo over their hearts on official jerseys and apparel – including Hostplus Cup, BMD Premiership, Mal Meninga U19, Cyril Connell U17, and Harvey Norman Women’s U17 & U19 – demonstrating our commitment to this vital cause.

TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH, HEAD ON.

CHANGE THE GAME | Tackle mental health head on primarily focuses on using the Mackay Cutters profile in our local community to assist in mental health and wellbeing awareness whilst raising the exposure of mental health organisations and their campaigns within our region. Rugby League Catchment – Mackay & District, South to Sarina, West to Clermont and North to Bowen. 

#cuttersincommunity #changethegame #tacklementalhealth

Our Programs

The Mackay Cutters work in partnership with our community to deliver programs and support fundraising efforts that play an important role in building a healthy and inclusive region. 

Change the Game has experienced remarkable growth, with its primary mission focused on providing educational programs that foster wellbeing and address mental health needs. We are proud to deliver our own community programs that continue to grow and make a positive impact. These programs are delivered through a range of initiatives, including Player Care, Cultural Care, Career Care, and the weekly Cutters Care program for local schools. In 2025 alone, our well-being and education team has delivered 53 Cutters Care sessions to organisations, schools, and clubs, reaching over 1,460 students, and helping to promote positive mental health and providing essential support across our community.

INTERNAL WELL-BEING ACTION PLAN (IMAP)

1. Player Requires Assistance

PLAYER REQUIRES ASSISTANCE

A staff member or teammate identifies an issue with a teammate who is acting or speaking in a concerning manner. They ask the question... "Are you ok? What's going on?"

2. Staff Member or Team Mate Approached

STAFF MEMBER OR TEAMMATE APPROACHED

Player seeks assistance from staff member or teammate. They speak with the player and then suggest for the player to go direct to the wellbeing officer, or suggest themselves and the player go to the WO. The goal is to transfer the player to the WO

3. Well-being officer engaged

WELL-BEING OFFICER ENGAGED

The Well-Being officer is made aware of the player in need of assistance. The WO will speak with the player regarding their concerns and put relevant measures in place to assist. If necessary, the WO will refer the player to the relevant experts (change the game stakeholders engaged) to assist the player.

4. coach engaged

COACH ENGAGED

Coach is briefed by WO as necessary to ensure Coach is aware of any relevant issue. It is our goal to raise awareness about mental health & well-being, suicide prevention and increase the exposure of our regions' available mental health and wellbeing networks.

HELP US CHANGE THE GAME… LET’S TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH HEAD ON.

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