Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit foundation with a mission to inspire and empower all Australians to take action to improve their mental fitness. Kindred has supported the Gotcha4Life Cup for three years and each year has been able to raise more money and awareness about the importance of mental fitness. The 2024 Gotcha4Life Cup was not just a night of exciting rugby, but a significant step forward in promoting mental fitness across Australia. This was achieved through the combined efforts of volunteers, staff and the community. We spoke to Nathan Reeves, Kindred’s General Manager in Australia, to find out more about this initiative.

Hi Nathan! This year’s Gotcha4Life Cup was a remarkable event. Can you tell us more about what makes this initiative so important?

The Gotcha4Life Cup is important because it focuses on raising awareness and funds for mental fitness across Australia. Mental health is a critical issue and the funds raised at this event help support programs that build resilience, mental fitness and ultimately save lives. This year we raised $232,000 which will have a significant impact on the community.

The concept of physical fitness is obvious to everyone: eat well and exercise. We have dedicated decades of research and education to treating our bodies well. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for mental fitness, and that is precisely the focus of Gotcha4Life.

Gotcha4Life is committed to bringing mental fitness to the same level of thought and action as physical fitness. In this way, young and old minds alike are trained to weather the storm of uncertainty that comes with navigating our modern world. The magic of Gotcha4Life lies in the fundamental recognition that while physical fitness can be a very lonely endeavor, mental fitness must involve our own social villages, as it is our bonds with those around us that nourish and strengthen our resilience. To quote Gus Worland, founder of Gotcha4Life, “So that no one worries alone.”

The Gotcha4Life Cup raises awareness of this cause by bringing two of the NRL’s best teams together in a stadium full of screaming fans (25,000) to bring this message front and centre. Every Gotcha4Life Cup game was televised nationally (1.25 million viewers) and all of Unibet’s sponsorship inventory was donated to Gotcha4Life each year, including ground signage, LEDs, corner posts and the coveted position on the back of the Roosters’ jersey.

The amount raised this year is impressive. How was that possible?

Through donations from Unibet, Shaw and Partners, as well as the auction of jerseys from both teams and a dedicated team of volunteers consisting of 25 Unibet employees who gave up their evening to ask for donations from the 25,000 people in attendance. Our volunteers really outdid themselves this year, surpassing last year’s charity raffle by raising over $18,000. A special mention goes to Shilo Harvey who, despite only being with us for just over a week, managed to raise $1,400 on her own.

It sounds like a lot of hard work went into this event. Can you share some highlights from the evening?

Absolutely. The game itself was exciting, going all the way to the end and keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Spectators also loved the celebrity touch football game at half time, which saw some of Australia’s best athletes and entertainment stars take to the field in special Gotcha4Life gear to encourage people to come together for a common cause. Unfortunately, when we lined up for the game, which featured Unibet’s own ambassadors, former UFC middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer Robert Whitaker and Rugby League star Brian Fletcher, none of our superstars managed to score and they lost to Australia’s wave queen Lane Beachley. One of the most memorable moments was when our staff’s children lined the tunnel as the Gotcha4Life Roosters stormed the field. It was a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

This is the third year that Kindred has supported the Gotcha4Life Cup. What impact has this ongoing partnership had?

Our ongoing support of the Gotcha4Life Cup has contributed significantly to a positive perception of mental health. Each year we have managed to raise more money and awareness of the importance of mental fitness. This year, with the support of some big names in Rugby League, we have built a strong foundation to help people get through difficult times. Our aim is to increase the amount raised over the years to over a million dollars in the fourth year of our support.

What would you say to those who were unable to attend this year to encourage them to come back next year?

For those who couldn’t make it this year, I would really encourage you to come back next year. The videos and photos don’t fully capture the atmosphere of the evening. It’s an incredible event for a great cause and being there in person is an unforgettable experience. We look forward to more people joining us and helping us break records and make an even bigger impact. I would love to get some of our big name European ambassadors to our Celebrity Touch Football game next year. Perhaps we can boost the Gotcha4Life programs worldwide.