Gavin Price says it is “reassuring” to know mental health help is at hand for those who need it at Elgin City after the club partnered with charity Back Onside.
And Elgin are one of many other clubs throughout Scotland breaking down the stigma around mental health issues by linking up with the volunteer-driven organisation.
Elgin boss Price is delighted to know anyone at the Borough Briggs club can access support and advice whenever they need it, and they are encouraged to do so.
He said: “I have seen first-hand the role Back Onside have within many football teams and the support they offer.
“Mental health is something we should all be aware of. It can affect anybody in these times and it’s a fantastic resource to have.
“It shows the door is open for players, coaching staff, anyone at Elgin – it’s there for anyone.
“It’s a great voluntary service as well and it’s providing a fantastic service to the football community.
“Back Onside provide an invaluable service to our clubs. Having witnessed how they operate, I was so impressed with the speed, empathy, and professionalism of their response.
“It is so reassuring that we have the service Back Onside provide readily available in our game.”
North partnerships vital to charity
Libby Emmerson, Back Onside founder and chief executive, explained how being there for teams in the north of Scotland is vitally important to the charity.
She said: “We are so excited to announce another exciting partnership within Scottish football and are really looking forward to watching it grow.
“I have been working closely with Elgin City manager Gavin Price over the last few months and knew we shared similar values and goals when it comes to mental health.
Starting off the week with another brand new partnership announcement! We are really excited to have teamed up with SPFL League two team @elgincity We can't wait to start working together & raise awareness surrounding the importance of mental health within the club and beyond 💛 pic.twitter.com/tgmgR1KUne
— Back Onside (@BackOnside) November 7, 2022
“We are passionate about making clubs a safe space for players to be able to open up should they need to talk, and are delighted to be partnering with another fantastic League 2 club, Elgin City.
“This partnership is also very important to me as I am aware of how players and clubs often feel so far away from the central belt and at times may feel a little isolated and forgotten about due to location, so we are determined to make sure they receive all the same support and help that any other club, player or individual would receive.”
Football clubs offer positive feedback
Emmerson is encouraged by the reaction from the football community and stressed the safe, welcome environment provided for men and women to use their resources is a big part of their success.
She said: “After working with several football clubs over the last five years, we recognised there was a real need for our services and support prompting us to launch our Positive Pitches campaign last year.
“I have seen first-hand how the work we have done has helped so many people, particularly within the football community and the positive feedback we have received from players and managers alike has been a great testimony and reminder of how vital a role we play in supporting people.
“The outcomes it has had for the individuals and the teams around them has been incredible.
Great to see @spfl teams backing the fantastic @BackOnside charity, including @RossCounty & @HibernianFC tonight 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/GrZnXO35vR
— Whisky Kiss (@whiskykiss_) November 8, 2022
“We have since partnered with various teams in Scotland to promote positive mental health within the footballing world, where our experienced team provide a professional, safe and most importantly, a confidential space and support network to anyone who reaches out to us for help.
“I am really hoping that eventually all Scottish football clubs will see the great work we are doing and it will encourage them to reach out and be part of what we have built here at Back Onside over the last five years, which is encouraging young men and women to come forward and speak up if they are struggling and see that there is no shame in doing so.”
Partnership will be long-term
Elgin City’s general manager Keiran Carty is confident this link-up will be a long-term one for the League 2 club.
He said: “We are delighted to launch an official partnership with the mental health charity Back Onside. They do a fantastic job providing support through sport especially in the football sector.
“Recently, the Back Onside team visited our first-team and we look forward to seeing them more often.
“We aim to work with the charity to help promote and raise awareness around the stigma of talking about your mental health. We are looking forward to working together in the years to come.”
For more details about Back Onside’s work, click here.
Conversation