Wellbeing Officer &
Sports Chaplain
Dave Evans
INTRODUCING CPFNC’S WELLBEING OFFICER – DAVE EVANS
G’day CPFNC.
My name is Dave Evans and I’m your Health and Wellbeing Officer
While some of you may already know or recognise me, I thought it was time to let you all know who I am and what motivated me to take on this role. I do this in the hope that it provides you with the confidence to contact me should you need or want to.
I’m 47y/o, married to a beautiful, supportive lady (Paulette) who runs a dental hygiene studio in Somers, and we have three daughters. (None of them play football or netball, they just love burning cash on horses!!!)
Even though I was probably the greatest carpenter of all time, Evert DeKleuver will verify it, I changed career in 1998 and joined the Police Force. After 22 years as a cop I have worked in various roles, so there’s not much that shocks or surprises me anymore. Apart from doing the typical ‘police stuff’ I’ve had the opportunity to meet and provide short term counsel and support to many people. People from all walks of life who’s lives had become a bit messy and complicated for one reason or another.
Anyway, in 2015 as a result some stuff that I won’t bore with you now I found myself on the wrong end of trauma and stress and was making some pretty poor choices. I was experiencing mental ill-health!!! Work, family and I all suffered, and life felt pretty meaningless. That was, until I spoke to someone who helped me get the support I needed in place. Interestingly, one of those supports was the friendly, relaxed, non- judgemental environment Crib Point Football Netball Club offers. So, I thank you all for that.
The experience helped me realise some aspects of my life no longer aligned with my personal values, so I decided to embark on a new future. I made some personal and professional changes, I worked on becoming the husband and father I wanted to be, stopped investigating crime and took on a proactive role engaging with and supporting youth. Fortunately, with time, plenty of support and a fair bit of self-reflection my mental health improved, and life got back to normal. Whatever normal is???
Over the years I have seen many people, including friends and colleagues, struggle with mental ill-health, so I really wanted to better understand the what, why and how of this often-destructive illness. So, I engaged in numerous health and well-being training programs and completed a degree in psychology. There was no simple answer!!! However, when I combine my personal and professional encounters with mental ill-health with the extensive knowledge gained through the study of psychology, I feel I am in a great position to offer support to those who need it.
So, now you know a bit more about me, you can see I’m just a pretty average bloke that leads a pretty average life, who was fortunate enough to have the support of some amazing people at a time in my life that things got a little bent out of shape.
Which brings me back to the CPFNC. The support you and the club gave me during my time of need, probably without even realising it, contributed enormously to my recovery and inspired me to take on the health and well-being role.
So, if anyone associated with this great community Football / Netball club is experiencing health and well-being issues, please, reach out to me so we can walk together along the road to recovery.
*Please note: any contact or conversation we have will remain completely confidential!!
Most importantly! Please remember, it doesn’t matter who you choose to reach out to; me, the club chaplain, coach, committee, family or friend, so long as you reach out to someone. I assure you; it will be the best decision you make.
Dave Evans
0490 344 638
djevo1973@gmail.com
INTRODUCING CPFNC’S SPORTS CHAPLAIN – ANGELA CUTTING
Hello there CPFNC!
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Angela, I’m 50 something years old and I’ve been a Christian now for roughly 30 years.
I met my husband Peter while I was working as Assistant Business Manager at Flinders Christian College. We have been married now for 19 years. Together we have 5 adult children and 3 grandchildren.
I have been a volunteer in community work in one capacity or another for many years, including teaching RE to Youth Outreach. As life takes it usual twist and turns, I have always remained involved in volunteer work as well as having paid employment. I am currently the Finance Manager at a local Retirement Village where I have been for last 9 years.
My husband and I love this region and we have a real heart to be a support in the local community. Out of this passion grew a desire to formalise my training to do Pastoral Care and I commenced studies through Chaplaincy Australia. During this process I met the head of the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Region of Sports Chaplains and was so impressed with her heart for sporting clubs that I have been hooked ever since. This led me to complete specific Sports Chaplaincy Australia training and I became an accredited Sports Chaplain 2018. I have attended several critical incident’s at various clubs and whilst incredibly challenging, I find it equally rewarding to be able to contribute to the support and care of our local clubs.
I was privileged to help support CPFNC during a difficult time last year and having spent several hours getting to know some of the wonderful Netball Club ladies and players, I really began to understand firsthand the role clubs play in our communities and their development. It was around this time I met Dave, CPFNC’s Welfare Officer (who thinks he was the world’s best carpenter… but I have to say Dave, Jesus is 😉) and saw an amazing opportunity to be a part of something really special. I was subsequently asked if I would be CPFNC’s Sports Chaplain which was really a no brainer.
So, you may ask – what does a Sports Chaplain do? Well in short, my role is to be a supportive presence, in collaboration with Dave, to care for the whole club in good and bad times without prejudice or judgement regardless of faith, or background, or circumstances. To treat each person as an individual with the respect, confidentiality and the dignity we all deserve.
So, although we cannot meet face to face right now. I am genuinely looking forward to getting to know you and be a part of the team at CPFNC. In the meantime, Dave and I are both available for anyone involved in the club to call or email if you have any problem or questions.
Please remember that no question or problem is too big or small, we are here for the whole club, no matter what the situation! An