Dad's who Dunk ... here's our story!
I'm actually smiling as I write this - because if you asked me a couple of months ago if I'd be playing basketball every week, I would have laughed at you!
But sure enough, a group of us local dads decided, just a few short weeks ago, to join a social basketball competition.
Now, I must flag first that the discussion was held over a couple of beers at the local brewery, so my initial expectations of us actually getting the guys to commit to playing wasn't necessarily that high. And returning to (somewhat) competitive sport - after a nearly 20-year hiatus - wasn't really on the radar for most of us, with our weekends and weeknights more focused on kids sport rather than our own.
But fast-track to now, and the Westside Barbarians (named after the brewery in which the team was conceived) are sitting fourth on the ladder of the illustrious D-Division social basketball comp.
Since our humble entry into the local league in May, the Westside Barbarians now has 17 Inner-West Dads registered (well, 17 Dads on the Whatsapp group at least!), and many of our conversations have varied between debriefing about the previous match with anyone that will listen, and continuing our recruitment drive to bring in new players (again, to anyone that will listen).
The build-up to our first game was a unique experience - the familiar feeling of pre-game excitement, nerves and anticipation of 20 years earlier jumped into action, as we stepped (strutted) into the stadium.
Within minutes of our game starting, the nerves jumped up even further - as an opposition player was literally wheelchaired-off with an Achilles injury. Nervous about the injury risks and our overall fallibility yes, but probably even more nervous about telling our wives about the achilles rupture...
But, for those 40 minutes on the court, all those thoughts about life, work deadlines and worries fade away. It's just us, the ball, our teammates, and some friendly (sometimes fiery!) competition.
Little did I know that having a run around with some other middle-aged (ouch!) dads could be such be a game-changer for personal growth and connection. The journey back to the court hasn't just been about the physical game - throwing up haymaker 3-point attempts, sprinting(?) up and down the court, and generally just trying to relive glory days - it's also been about rediscovering resilience, healthy competition and the joy of new friendships.
Getting five players to show up for a game, especially those scheduled as late as 9:40PM, is a challenge in itself, but this experience offers lessons that go beyond sports. It emphasises the value of an active lifestyle, stepping out of our comfort zone, and the importance of community support.
In sharing this experience, we hope to inspire others to take up new challenges and prioritise their wellbeing.
If you need a quick sanity check on what you are doing for employee wellbeing, I welcome a call here.
Tom
To discuss how Pinnacle Health Group can help create a safer work environment, click the button below to speak to one of our OHS Directors for a quote:
August Masterclass: Skin Checks - Why Early Detection Matters
In Australia and New Zealand, 2 out of 3 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.
This is a harrowing statistic, and given our affinity in these countries to embracing the outdoors, sport, beaches, the clean air and open spaces, it is clear that prevention and protection against skin cancer is vitally important.
While we are dropping a few stats, there is data that we have gathered at Pinnacle Health Group, in relation to the employee skin cancer checks that we deliver. And its a doozy:
Of the employees that undergo a skin cancer check with Pinnacle at their workplace - for up to 71 percent of these people - it is their first ever skin cancer check they've had conducted.
To put this in simpler terms, if these employees didn't have a skin cancer check arranged with their workplace, they simply would not have had their skin checked for suspicious lesions, spots to watch, and of course, cancers.
Workplace skin cancer checks are literally a life saving initiative, and alongside the obvious benefit of saving employees lives, skin checks are a welcome part of employee wellbeing programs for the following reasons:
In this session, we provide an overview of:
In this interactive and practical workshop delivered by Trent Marsh you will learn:
This 45 minute session is interactive and suitable for leaders in HR, Health and Wellbeing or Health and Safety, or team leaders looking to inspire their team to healthy change.
Wednesday, 14th August 2024 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm AEST Get your FREE and exclusive ticket
A Spotlight On: Anna Feringa - The Psychosocial Expert
In this episode, Tom welcomes Anna Feringa, an expert in the field of psychosocial safety in workplaces. They discuss the importance of human connection in the age of hybrid and remote work, and the necessity of creating psychologically safe environments.
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Anna shares her extensive experience in occupational behaviour, shedding light on mental health issues in workplaces, trends over the last decade, and recent regulatory changes. They delve into the impact of inadequate work design on mental health, the importance of consulting with staff, and the challenges and benefits of hybrid work. The conversation also covers the evolving state of workplace safety regulations and expectations for the future.
About Anna Anna is an award-winning International Speaker, Author, Trainer & Workplace Mental Health Consultant. With over 19-years’ consulting experience, Anna partners with organisations to support the workplace to better Prevent, Promote and Respond to Psychosocial Risk. With a human centric and evidence-based approach, Anna works with organisations to understand new regulatory obligations and to build proactive Psychosocial Risk Management systems, ensuring the workplace remains enterprise ready for the future.
Anna is the director of Anna Feringa Consulting Pty Ltd.
Loneliness Awareness Week Australia (5-11 August 2024)
Everyone is encouraged to get involved this year! Learn more below to be the first to know about this year’s theme and receive resources to spread the word and participate.
The New Normal Office Life
The modern workplace is undergoing a major transformation, with flexibility and hybrid work models at its core. Companies now offer employees the choice to work from home, the office, or other locations, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. Technology like video conferencing and cloud computing ensures seamless collaboration, while office designs shift towards open-plan spaces that foster creativity and community. Employee wellbeing has become a priority, with mental health support and wellness programs becoming integral to corporate culture.
Leadership styles are also evolving, with managers adopting more empathetic and supportive approaches, focusing on outcomes rather than processes. Trust and autonomy empower employees to take ownership of their work, contributing to a dynamic and inclusive work environment. These changes, driven by flexibility and technology, are not just temporary but are shaping the future of work, creating a productive and resilient workforce.
For more details, read the full opinion piece on the Australian Financial Review's website here.
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Specialist Medicolegal Australia
3 个月Which dad's really dunk?