This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is Community, so we wanted to highlight the amazing work being done by our Community Partner Club, RG4 FC who are using the power of sport to improve the mental health of local men as we celebrate twelve months of our partnership.

It’s widely recognised that participating in sports and physical activity has significant positive effects on mental health, that’s why Caversham based RG4 FC set up their 6 A-Side team called RG4FC Underdogs. Martin Bingham, RG4 FC’s Club Welfare Officer told us that “initially the team was largely made up of middle-aged men who wanted to improve their fitness, as they described themselves as unfit. In recent months however the team has been bolstered with the arrival of some younger lads.”

RG4 FC was initially set up by the local community centre, known as the ‘Weller Centre’ on to make football accessible for all children locally, but has gone on to become a vital lifeline for the community on the Amersham Road Estate in Caversham.

RG4 FC underdogs initially started out in December and despite have a rather tough start, in which they lost several games by double figures they persevered and have gone on to win four out of their last five games, one of which was with an 18-0 scoreline.

The real winner is here is the difference the team’s existence is making to the player’s lives.

We spoke to Olsi and Liam, members of RG4 FC Underdogs who told us why the team serves as a vital lifeline.

“Being part of RG4 FC underdogs has been great for my mental health. I’m new in town, so having a team to join has made a massive impact. Knowing new people and playing a bit football helps a lot, it gives me something to look forward to each week and takes my mind off things”

– Olsi, Member of RG4FC Underdogs

“RG4 Underdogs has given me a platform to be able to play football, since being a child all I ever wanted to do was play football. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a disease at 10 which meant I’d never be able to do so. But fast forward 13 years I had my hip replaced at 23, still super nervous about playing. Was affecting my mental health, because all I wanted to do was play and express my love for the game. I decided to try my luck in goal and I’ve played 4 games so far and my mental health has come on so much. Just being able to do something I never thought I’d be able to. Means so much to me to be accepted and be able to play.”

– Liam, Member of RG4FC Underdogs

Reading City Football Club Chairman, Martin law who also serves as Director of Grassroots Football at Berkshire & Buckinghamshire Football Association had this to say:

“I would like to commend RG4 FC for helping to advance mental health awareness and support within our local footballing community. Statistically 12.5% of men in England have a mental health disorder & more men are likely to die by suicide in England than women.

It’s evident that the team is already having a positive impact on the lives of local men as it’s making them fitter and happier whilst making new friendships.  As a society, we need to break the stigma that stops men feeling like they’re able to talk about their mental health and I hope more clubs will follow our Community Partner Club’s lead.

At Reading City FC our aim is to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed, understood, and prioritised. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and we believe that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. Football provides an opportunity to support both body and mind, helping players thrive on and off the pitch.

Together with our community partners RG4 FC and Reading XL FC, Reading’s first men’s football club which is dedicated to Weight Loss and Mental Health Support, we will continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health in football.”