Ten years since the passing of his best mate, IFProject founder Clint Hoffmann, returns to Darwin to raise awareness for men’s mental health at the cricket.
At most test matches in Australia, you can spot a group of stormtroopers among the crowd, this is Mr Hoffmann and supporters of the IFProject.
Promoting the free ‘IF App’ giving access to support networks and local events across Australia that talk about mental wellbeing, and an interactive version of the IF Guide which provides enriching content that unpacks how men can be their best selves.
The now 55-year-old founded the project in Darwin after University football star and his best mate, Geoff ‘Twinkle’ Redpath died in 2016.
Now residing in Brisbane, the former NT cricket senior captain said it was emotional returning home to Darwin due to the struggles his best mate and brother have had with mental health.
“I’ve got a brother who’s incarcerated up here, and I started this well before he was incarcerated because I was hoping I could get the app to him,” he said
“He struggled with mental health all his life so yeah, I wear my heart on my sleeve, so when the tragedy happened with the family, it took a massive mental toll on me, my mum and the whole Darwin community.”
With 11 people representing the cause in the Top End for the Bangladesh test, Mr Hoffmann said he wanted to help at least one person.
“We get people to hit the QR code on our sleeve which takes them to the free app, it’s up to about 50,000 downloads now,” he said.
“We have fundraisers every now and again to keep the app going, because it’s all built this event today is an activation for us, the QR code means someone could download it and it might just save someone from doing what Twinkles did.
“We’ve got a father and son from southern New South Wales here for the cricket and they’re big supporters of the project and also here for the 5oth year gala with the Darwin Cricket Club who are also big supporters of us.”