Latest news with #AdamSelwood
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy legend Joel Selwood takes a brave step after losing two of his AFL star brothers in twin tragedies
Former Geelong AFL star Joel Selwood will return to work in commentary this weekend after taking time off when his brother Adam's tragic death shook the footy world to its core. The AFL community was left reeling after the suicide of the former Eagles premiership star on May 17, just three months after the tragic suicide of his identical twin brother, Troy. Joel was devastated by the double tragedy, later posting a social media tribute to Adam saying alongside photos of the family and the words: 'Rest up, love you brother. Look after each other.' Joel has been on leave since the shocking incident, but will be back with the Channel Seven commentary team on Sunday for St Kilda's clash with Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The Selwoods are widely regarded as one of the most celebrated families in the sport with brothers Joel, Adam, Troy and Scott, each enjoying distinguished footy careers. Troy played 75 games for the Brisbane Lions between 2003 and 2010, before becoming an assistant coach with Geelong. Throughout his career, the Lions tagger never took a backward step. He was courageous, showed an elite footballing intelligence and competed for every challenge that presented itself. Off the field, he was seen by many as an outstanding individual, who was compassionate, kind and loved the game. Adam made 187 appearances for the Eagles during his career and played a key role in helping the club win the 2006 AFL Grand Final. He joined the footy club in the 2002 National Draft and would enjoy a 10-year career in footy's top-flight competition, mostly playing as a tagger, before hanging up his boots in 2013. Adam had led the tributes for his twin brother Troy, at his memorial service at Geelong's GMHBA stadium earlier this year. Adam described his brother as 'full of life, full of love, full of wisdom beyond his years.' 'Having an identical twin is a both a rare privilege and wonderfully complex,' he said. 'A twin is more than a sibling. They are a constant presence, a built-in mate. 'He was my mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest ally and the one person who knew what I was always thinking.' After his retirement in 2013, Adam would continue to work in football taking up a role as a development coach with the West Coast. He'd later become the inaugural head of the Eagles women's footy side and was pivotal in bringing key AFLW players to the club.
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Football clubs in regional WA step up efforts to tackle suicide
Warning: This story discusses content some readers may find distressing. The football community was shattered when former West Coast Eagles premiership player, Adam Selwood, died suddenly in May. It was just months after his twin brother and former Brisbane player, Troy, died by suicide. Now regional football clubs are taking a closer look at whether they are doing enough for players' mental health. Data from suicide prevention advocacy group Think Mental Health shows one person from WA dies by suicide every day, with three out of four of those being men. In Geraldton, about 400 kilometres north of Perth, sporting teams have felt the ripple effect of suicide too many times. Railways Football Club head trainer Grant Russell said the impact left more questions than answers. "Sadly I've lost a couple of close mates to suicide, I've also lost other people within the football club," Mr Russell said. "When I lost a very good friend a few years ago to suicide I thought to myself, 'Why?' Mr Russell, known to his club mates as Grunter, was diagnosed with bipolar almost 20 years ago. He said hoped he could harness his experience to help others. "I totally understand how you can feel lost in the darkness and think, 'Where do I go next?'" he said. "I'm quite happy with the way I cope with my illness but it is something you must be conscious of every single day." Earlier this month, the Railways community was rocked when a teammate tried to take their life. It lit a fire under the club that change was needed. "It shouldn't have taken that to kick us where it hurts to get ourselves aware and really talking about what the issues are," Mr Russell said. The Great Northern Football League holds two mental health rounds within a season. Mr Russell said he wanted to inspire meaningful conversations. He was able to get the players and umpires to wear blue arm bands and added "Think Mental Health" covers to one of the point posts. "There were a number of people that asked me, 'Grant, why is there one on one point post only' and I said, 'That's the point,'" he said. "People are going to ask why and we can now open up and start talking about mental health. In Northampton, 50 kilometres north of Geraldton, the local footy club has also struggled with mental health issues. "We've lost some very close friends, cousins, relatives [to suicide]," Northampton Rams Football Club president Anthony Jupp said. "I definitely think coming from the country it's more about the isolation and thinking no-one's there to help them. "Definitely one [of our players] thought he was all alone but he didn't realise what he meant to the community, to all his friends and family." Mr Jupp said the strong country mentality was a constant barrier to players seeking help. He said a lot of players did not think they needed mental health support or would be too nervous to reach out on their own. "But if we can get someone to come to the club and speak to the group as a whole I think, you know, if we only reach one or two, that's perfect," he said. Mr Russell said he wanted people to know it was OK to not be OK. "I know that [can be a] throwaway line that all campaigns use, but it is OK," he said. After the passing of the Selwood brothers, Great Northern Football League president Carrissa Bellottie said she was shocked that mental-health rounds were not run at the national level. "It definitely did come as a shock [because] we've had mental-health rounds here for years," she said. "More recently Country Footy WA have got a new program called Tackle Your Feelings. "So that no matter who you are, there's some sort of mental health program that you can reach out to at any given time." The new initiative provides psychologist-led training for sporting clubs to identify and respond to poor mental health among members. The AFL created a mental health strategy in 2020 and partners with the Black Dog Institute for the annual "Spud's game". The AFL Players Association offers mental health support for current and former players. In a written statement, WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said football clubs served as important platforms to talk about mental health.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Matildas star drives support network for retired athletes following tragic death of AFL stars Adam and Troy Selwood
A former Matildas star is leading a push for better support for retired athletes after the tragic deaths of Adam and Troy Selwood. AFL fans were left reeling earlier this year following the deaths of the twin brothers. Troy Selwood died by suicide in early February. His twin brother Adam, a premiership player for the West Coast Eagles, died just three months later. The news stunned the sporting community and placed fresh focus on the mental and emotional challenges elite athletes often face once their careers end. Now, Matildas legend Elise Kellond-Knight has stepped forward to help lead the response. The retired midfielder, who represented Australia across 17 years and two Olympic Games, is backing a new initiative by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to support athletes adjusting to life after elite competition. The program, called the Retired Athlete Peer Support Network, offers a safe space for former athletes to connect, reflect, and rebuild. 'It's heartbreaking,' Kellond-Knight said in an interview with Wide World of Sports. 'It's something you just don't fathom is possible, and you would hope that they had every possible piece of support around them before what eventuated.' The network aims to give retired athletes an opportunity to share experiences with others who understand the emotional toll of stepping away from sport. Whether it's been a year or a decade since they last competed, the program encourages connection and conversation, something Kellond-Knight believes is sorely needed. 'It shows you how hard it is for athletes to adjust to a new way of life,' she said. 'To basically give up one of their nearest, dearest things to them. It does show you the struggles that we all go through.' The program was developed following consultation with psychologists, coaches, and athletes, and was strongly pushed by the AIS athlete advisory committee - a group that includes both current and retired stars such as Olympic champion Nina Kennedy, surfing icon Sally Fitzgibbons, and Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley. The committee raised concerns with AIS leaders that retirement support was lacking, particularly for athletes grappling with identity loss and disconnection. 'One of the big things every retired athlete I've ever spoken to has referred to is change of identity,' AIS executive general manager of performance Matti Clements said. 'Some will call it a loss of identity, others will say they're stepping into a new phase, but for many, it's, 'I don't know who I am anymore.' Kellond-Knight, who retired in October last year, admitted that while her identity as an athlete remained strong, the shift in routine and physical activity was difficult to manage. 'I've still got this really healthy relationship with Elise the footballer,' she said. 'I still play in the Victorian Premier League, I'm deputy chair of Professional Footballers Australia, and I commentate on matches. So the identity part isn't hard.' For confidential 24-hour support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Text Service : 0477 13 11 14 Beyond Blue : 1300 224 636
Daily Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
AFL news: Scott Selwood's heartbreaking final act for late brothers Adam and Troy comes to light, Isaac Smith, South Africa's Big Five Marathon
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adam Selwood's plan to run a half marathon to raise money for a mental health charity in honour of his brother Troy – who died earlier this year – emerged following the 41-year-old's death last month. Tragically he never made the date of the race. But in an incredible act of courage, the youngest Selwood brother Scott decided to run a marathon in honour of his two brothers, completing a punishing solo run for charity all alone in the cold wintry Melbourne conditions on Saturday. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Selwood decided to run a marathon to help him grieve the loss of his brothers, while also raising money for Carrie Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. The 35-year-old Collingwood assistant coach decided to complete South Africa's Big Five Marathon in the wake of Adam's tragic death last month before later pulling out, with Hawthorn and Geelong premiership hero Isaac Smith taking on the task of replacing Scott in South Africa despite having a newborn at home. However, Scott still decided to run a solo marathon in honour of his brothers who were both avid runners. Scott, running in support of Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity, completed his marathon, by running 42.2km around Albert Park in Melbourne in an impressive three hours and two minutes, an average of 4:19/km. The incredible act saw his brother Joel take to social media to write: 'You would have been forgiven if you weren't up for it today brother.' 'But instead you did it the hardest way possible — underprepared, freezing cold and ran alone against the clock. '42.2km and smashed it. Proud of you Uncle Scooter.' The Selwood boys – Joel, Troy, Adam and Scott Selwood after this year's grand final. Together Scott and Smith have raised more than $55,000 for charity. In a post to Instagram after completing the marathon Scott wrote: 'Not Africa but the importance to the cause stays the same!' 'I learnt some very hard lessons about being underprepared for a marathon also! So did my toenails! 'To everyone who has donated. a very big THANK YOU. This is an incredible cause and with incredible people. It wasn't meant to be for me in Africa but that's when you're lucky to have great people to step in and support (like) Isaac Smith. Good luck team!' Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer took two dozen people to South Africa for the Big Five marathon and half-marathon. Smith – running in place of Selwood – finished in 5:33:22, just behind Carrie Bickmore's co-host Tommy Little (5:28:55). Richmond premiership players Brandon Ellis (5:06:11) and Trent Cotchin (5:12:08) also registered strong times. Selwood brothers, L- R Scott, Joel, Adam and Joel While Australian ultra-marathon athlete Nedd Brockmann won the marathon in a time of 3:15:31. It comes after Bickmore revealed last month that Scott had originally set out to complete the South Africa marathon to help him grieve the loss of his two brothers. 'It has been the most gut-wrenching time for the Selwood family, a much-loved football family who have tragically lost two brothers in very short succession,' she said last month. 'It is the most shocking situation for their family … in the midst of all of this, Scott decided he wanted to come on the Big Five adventure with us. 'At the time, it was something to give him purpose, to give him a reason to keep running every day, as he and his family were navigating their grief. 'And he was doing such an incredible job (before deciding to withdraw).' Originally published as Scott Selwood's heartbreaking and courageous final act for late brothers Adam and Troy
News.com.au
15-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Scott Selwood's heartbreaking and courageous final act for late brothers Adam and Troy
Adam Selwood's plan to run a half marathon to raise money for a mental health charity in honour of his brother Troy – who died earlier this year – emerged following the 41-year-old's death last month. Tragically he never made the date of the race. But in an incredible act of courage, the youngest Selwood brother Scott decided to run a marathon in honour of his two brothers, completing a punishing solo run for charity all alone in the cold wintry Melbourne conditions on Saturday. Selwood decided to run a marathon to help him grieve the loss of his brothers, while also raising money for Carrie Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. The 35-year-old Collingwood assistant coach decided to complete South Africa's Big Five Marathon in the wake of Adam's tragic death last month before later pulling out, with Hawthorn and Geelong premiership hero Isaac Smith taking on the task of replacing Scott in South Africa despite having a newborn at home. However, Scott still decided to run a solo marathon in honour of his brothers who were both avid runners. Scott, running in support of Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity, completed his marathon, by running 42.2km around Albert Park in Melbourne in an impressive three hours and two minutes, an average of 4:19/km. The incredible act saw his brother Joel take to social media to write: 'You would have been forgiven if you weren't up for it today brother.' 'But instead you did it the hardest way possible — underprepared, freezing cold and ran alone against the clock. '42.2km and smashed it. Proud of you Uncle Scooter.' Together Scott and Smith have raised more than $55,000 for charity. In a post to Instagram after completing the marathon Scott wrote: 'Not Africa but the importance to the cause stays the same!' 'I learnt some very hard lessons about being underprepared for a marathon also! So did my toenails! 'To everyone who has donated. a very big THANK YOU. This is an incredible cause and with incredible people. It wasn't meant to be for me in Africa but that's when you're lucky to have great people to step in and support (like) Isaac Smith. Good luck team!' Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer took two dozen people to South Africa for the Big Five marathon and half-marathon. Smith – running in place of Selwood – finished in 5:33:22, just behind Carrie Bickmore's co-host Tommy Little (5:28:55). Richmond premiership players Brandon Ellis (5:06:11) and Trent Cotchin (5:12:08) also registered strong times. While Australian ultra-marathon athlete Nedd Brockmann won the marathon in a time of 3:15:31. It comes after Bickmore revealed last month that Scott had originally set out to complete the South Africa marathon to help him grieve the loss of his two brothers. 'It has been the most gut-wrenching time for the Selwood family, a much-loved football family who have tragically lost two brothers in very short succession,' she said last month. 'It is the most shocking situation for their family … in the midst of all of this, Scott decided he wanted to come on the Big Five adventure with us. 'At the time, it was something to give him purpose, to give him a reason to keep running every day, as he and his family were navigating their grief. 'And he was doing such an incredible job (before deciding to withdraw).'
