Blue tree project sets this community rugby league club apart

There’s a blue tree in the grounds of Denison Park, home of the Bowen Seagulls rugby league club, that signals to young players that they’re entering a safe space. 

The north Queensland-based Seagulls have been named community club of the year in the NRL’s annual community awards, which are presented by Westpac. The award comes in recognition of the work put in by the club’s coaches and volunteers to make their young players feel welcome, included, and comfortable about sharing any mental health challenges they might be experiencing. 

“I know that a lot of kids maybe don’t have a great background and home life and we want this to be a place where they can come and just have some fun,” says club secretary Monika Piggott. 

“The blue tree is just a reminder that they can come and speak to any one of us confidentially if they’re not feeling ok. We want them to know that it’s ok to not be ok.” 

As a mum to three boys, Piggott knows it can be hard for young men to open up and talk about their feelings. “The blue tree helps to start the conversation,” she says.  

The Blue Tree Project began in Western Australia in 2018 in response to the tragic death of Jayden Whyte by suicide. His friends and family started the movement to encourage people to speak up if they are experiencing mental health concerns, as well as offering a reminder to others to check in on loved ones or mates who might be struggling. 

There are now over 1,200 blue trees worldwide, with the Bowen Seagulls adding to the number earlier this year after the club secured backing from the local council. 

“The kids came and painted it themselves – there was blue paint everywhere!” Piggott says. 
 

The blue tree is just part of the Seagulls’ success story. 

Piggott has seen the club grow from just 50 players when she joined nine years ago to more than 400 spread across 25 teams, including the re-introduction of senior teams.

“It’s become a focal point for the Bowen community – when you walk down the street there are Seagulls jerseys everywhere,” Pigott says. 

Much of the club’s growth has been driven by its affordable membership policy. A large proportion of the juniors come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and the Seagulls ensure that the cost of membership can be covered by the Queensland government’s FairPlay sports vouchers. 

“The Bowen Seagulls are a shining example of the positive impact community rugby league clubs have on their community,” says Nicola Skinner, NRL General Manager, Community Programs.

“Not only do they provide an amazing opportunity for young people to connect and play sport, be healthy and active, they’re also using what they have around them to open up a really important conversations and they do that through their Blue Tree Project.” 

Westpac’s partnership of the NRL community awards is part of the bank’s broader commitment to regional Australia, says Annabel Fribence, Westpac Chief Brand and Marketing Officer.

“Through these awards we are proud to recognise the unsung heroes for their tireless service and commitment to their local rugby league communities,” Fribence says. “Their dedication to making a positive impact is something we can all aspire to.” 

The NRL started the community awards program in 2007 to recognise the volunteers, coaches, administrators, referees, teachers and young people, who put in countless hours, often unpaid, to grow the game they love. 

At the Seagulls, the club’s coaches receive training in how to best support and assist players who come to them to ask for help, Piggott says, adding that their aim is to act as mentors off the field as well as on it. 

“It’s great that we’ve been able to start this – what I’d like to see now is more clubs getting involved in the Blue Tree Project.”