In this presentation, I will share insights from our work with the Melbourne Storm NRL Academy team using the How to Thrive program. Our strength-based approach focuses on equipping young athletes with the skills and knowledge to thrive both on and off the field. The program is grounded in the BEACON Framework™ (as see in How to Thrive film) which integrates evidence-based tools from wellbeing science, delivering practical strategies in memorable and accessible ways.

Working with 23 academy players aged 18-21, we faced the challenge of making wellbeing matter to athletes from diverse background, low literacy and low engagement. Through five face-to-face sessions over 8 months, we addressed key BEACON pillars such as belonging, accountability, compassion, and optimism, while emphasising the importance of mental health to overall performance. The program leveraged the strong team dynamic to foster shared vulnerability and connection, while also supporting individual growth.

Evaluation results demonstrated remarkable outcomes: 80% of participants reported feeling more equipped to handle changes in their wellbeing, 95% felt a stronger sense of connection with their team, and 85% reported increased self-compassion. These results underscore the power of a strength-based, holistic approach to youth mental health.

Key takeaways from this talk will include the importance of making wellbeing practical and relevant to young athletes, the role of experiential learning, and strategies for embedding wellbeing into team dynamics for sustained impact. Attendees will leave with our lesson learnt & practical tools from the BEACON framework to apply in their own settings.