Collingwood is gearing up to kick goals for brain health as it launches its community partnership with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health to help raise funds for brain research.

The brainchild of Collingwood President Eddie McGuire, Florey is the Pies’ round two community match-day partner, celebrating the club’s commitment to help the Florey beat brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, stroke and depression.

“Collingwood is very pleased to support The Florey Institute in its work to promote better brain health for the wider community,” McGuire said.

“We share a common goal with The Florey in our desire to help improve people’s lives and we are proud to be associated with one of the world’s leading brain research centres.”

Florey Director, Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO, applauded Collingwood for its support and for initiating the partnership, which he hoped would contribute to invaluable research to improve the lives of the one in four Australians who experience a major brain disorder every year.

“Diseases of the brain and mind touch the lives of so many people, whether it be mental illness, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, mental illness or addiction,” Professor Donnan said.

“Unlike other parts of the human body the brain is still an enormous mystery. With genuine support and investment we can improve lives.”

Professor Donnan said there was a natural alignment between the work of The Florey and footy, and the new community partnership with Collingwood would be one of many initiatives to promote better brain health to the football community.

“Research shows that what’s good for your body is good for your brain, making The Florey’s focus a natural fit with the values of the AFL,” Professor Donnan said.

“Living well, eating a healthy diet, staying physically and mentally active, not smoking and avoiding alcohol all contribute to a healthy brain, and these behaviours are also integral to the performance of an elite athlete such as an AFL footballer.”

Beyond the ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ alignment between the Florey and footy, Professor Donnan said the Florey’s world-leading concussion research was also critical to the AFL.

“Concussion is a common injury seen in high impact sports such as AFL, and the safe and appropriate management of this condition is critical in preventing both short and long term health implications,” Prof Donnan said.

“By looking inside the brain, our scientists are seeking evidence-based proof and a better understanding of concussion, and how to safely manage concussion on the footy field at all levels of the game – from juniors to amateurs to elite.

“When fully funded, The Florey’s concussion research will provide essential guidelines and knowledge to current athletes, retired players and, indeed, parents of children playing football to improve player welfare now and in the future.”

McGuire commended The Florey for its cutting-edge research and urged footy fans to show their support.

“The Florey has a vision - to protect our brains so we live long and live well – and with genuine investment, Florey scientists will forge ahead, improving lives,” he said.

Show your support for improving brain health and donate to The Florey by texting BRAIN to 0437 371 371.



About the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

The Florey is the largest brain research group in the Southern Hemisphere and is one of the world’s top three brain research centres. It is home to nearly 600 researchers from all over the world who collaborate in the world’s third most cited neuroscience facility – right in the heart of Melbourne.

The Florey’s vision is to improve lives through brain research. Its teams of scientists work on a range of serious diseases including stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and addiction.

The Florey has had a memorandum of understanding with the AFL since 2012, which recognises the need to develop a world-leading research program to inform clinical management of its players impacted by concussion.