Collective Leisure Secures Three-Year Contract to Deliver Minds Collective Football Club - Supporting people in their Mental Health Recovery
22 October 2025
After a competitive tender process, Collective Leisure has been awarded a three-year contract with the City of Sydney to deliver Minds Collective Football Club (Minds Collective) - an impactful initiative supporting people in their mental health recovery through the power of physical activity and social connection.
Delivered weekly at Perry Park Recreation Centre in Alexandria, Sydney – a brand new, state of the art synthetic pitch, the program combines one hour of skill building and a game of football and one hour of social connection and is free for participants referred through local mental health services.
“This activity has provided me the opportunity to improve my mental health by leaving the house to connect with other people; to maintain my heart and physical health; and to have meaningful conversations with other participants and staff... I have not missed one session since joining.” — Minds Collective participant
The program aligns with the Centre’s intention to activate its usage by the broader community, as well as the City’s values of caring for the community, working better together, and finding the best solutions for the City. The contract award, announced during Mental Health Month, is particularly timely, aligning with this year’s theme of helping people “take steps on their journey to wellbeing.”
The program evolved from a pilot, co-designed through focus groups and participant feedback to create an accessible, inclusive, and safe physical activity option for people in mental health recovery within a non-clinical setting.
The program is underpinned by research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), which has shown improvements in participants’ physical activity levels, mood, and self-esteem. Preliminary findings indicate that taking part in Minds Collective supports wellbeing, builds confidence, and reduces isolation — creating pathways to healthier, more active lives regardless of football ability or experience.
“We know from research that traditional mental healthcare is not always how people choose to seek support. Non-clinical, social approaches that promote physical activity are essential for mental health recovery and for addressing physical health challenges common among those living with mental health conditions. Mental health services want to refer people to programs like this, but access is often limited. For service users in Sydney, Minds Collective offers a solution — providing an accessible, safe, stigma-free environment that is absolutely essential,” said Dr Oscar Lederman, University of Technology Sydney.
A key factor in the pilot’s success has been the strong referral partnerships established with local mental health organisations, both public and non-government. Participants have been referred from 16 mental health organisations, with at least 12 mental health workers regularly attending and engaging alongside their clients — demonstrating genuine inter-sector collaboration and integration. Two of the main referral partners are Bondi Junction Mental Health Centre and Mission Australia.
“As a referral partner, we see first-hand how valuable this program is for our clients,” said Lise Kjaer Program Manager – Housing and Support Initiative (HASI) and Community Living Support (CLS) Mission Australia. “It gives people living with mental health challenges a safe, supportive, and enjoyable space to reconnect with others and rediscover their strengths.”
Other key partners, such as Thread Together, provide free football boots and apparel, while student placements through the Australian College of Physical Education, Australian Catholic University, and Western Sydney University help train future practitioners and build program capacity.
“Thread Together is proud to partner with Minds Collective to support people on their journey of mental health recovery. Access to new clothing plays an important role in building confidence, belonging and dignity — helping people feel ready to re-engage with their community and the world around them.” said Anthony Chesler, CEO Thread Together.
The impact and reach of Minds Collective to date demonstrate Collective Leisure’s best-in-class approach to program design and delivery for underserved communities. Aligning with its mission to reduce health inequity through innovative programs that promote physical activity and wellbeing, this contract lays the foundation for Australia’s first football league specifically for players in mental health recovery.
“This contract is a game-changer — not only to grow Minds Collective into Australia’s first football league for people in mental health recovery but also as a demonstration of the power of physical activity and sport when delivered in an accessible, inclusive, and safe environment in partnership with aligned stakeholders,” said David Burns, CEO of Collective Leisure. “It’s about creating a sense of belonging and wellbeing for those who need it most.”
With thanks to Program Partners:
City of Sydney — Venue and funding support
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) — Research partner
Thread Together — Providing free football boots and other apparel for participants
Referral Partners — Numerous mental health services and community organisations across Sydney
For enquiries about Minds Collective in City of Sydney:
Jennifer Barker-Burns — Co-Founder & Minds Collective Program Manager
0406 940 759
jenniferb@collectiveleisure.com.au