The Power of Footy with Neil Balme

Welcome to The Ebbs and The Flows, soft chats about hard stuff. Edited by The Ebbs and The FlowsThank you to Chantelle Clark for designs used to promote this episodeOn this episode, we chat to Neil Balme, a footballing encyclopedia of experiences, successes and heartbreaks. Player, coach, administrator, and now Footy Advisor at Richmond, Neil's journey in footy has covered all grounds possible, with a spot in Richmond and Norwood's Hall of Fame. At the ripe old age of 71, he has entered a phase of his life where he can reflect on the many learnings he has had in footy and life, as well as the immense change he has seen in football, including women's footy, the rapid escalation of mental health care at clubs, the cultural shift in the pressing need and desire to connect with community, as well as the continuation of the fierce desire for clubs to win (but is it at all costs as it used to be???) This is a widesweeping discussion between father and son - an intimate chat, but a rewarding one. Grab a cold drink and tune in to a chat between the ol' Generation Balme firm. Neil's book 'A Tale of Two Men', written by Anson Cameron is available here: https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781761042102/neil-balme--anson-cameron-neil-balme--2022--9781761042102# or at any good bookshop (support local)Neil and William will be speaking at a fundraiser breakfast event for 'Read the Play' in Geelong on August the 4th, hosted by Cameron Ling. Tickets are available here: https://readtheplay.org.au/2023-rtp-fundraiser-breakfast/Tickets for Melbourne Documentary Film Festival's Sunday Shorts 3, including 'Letters To Anxiety' available here: https://www.cinemanova.com.au/films/mdff-sunday-shorts-3Follow The Ebbs and The Flows here: https://www.instagram.com/theebbsandtheflows/ The Ebbs and the Flows is an emotional health movement focused on openness and transparency about the light and the shade of the lives we led and journeys we encounter. The Ebbs and the Flows is not a licensed mental health service and therefore if you are seeking mental health advice, assessment or treatment, you should seek expert advice with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. At the end of the day, we are all just a work in progress. The Ebbs and the Flows is an emotional health movement focused on openness and transparency about the light and the shade of the lives we led and journeys we encounter. The Ebbs and the Flows is not a licensed mental health service and therefore if you are seeking mental health advice, assessment or treatment, you should seek expert advice with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.For those struggling, or who know somebody who is, help is available:@lifelineaustralia 13 11 14@beyondblueofficial 1300 22 46361800-RESPECT (1800 737 732)@headspace_aus 1800 650 890@kidshelplineau 1800 55 1800For advice specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people @13yarn 13 92 76For LGBTQIA+ specific advice @qlife_aus1800 184 527The Ebbs and The Flows website: www.theebbsandtheflows.comSubstack: https://substack.com/@theebbsandtheflows For The Ebbs and The Flows Instagram page head to https://www.instagram.com/theebbsandtheflows/At the end of the day, we are all just a work in progress.