The Duke of Cambridge launches the Heads Up Weekends

Football is coming together over two weekends in February to kick off the biggest ever conversation around mental health through football, in support of the Heads Up campaign.

Today, The Duke of Cambridge launched the Heads Up Weekends. Over the 8th-9th and 15th-16th of February, every football team from across the Premier League, English Football League, The National League, The Barclays Women’s Super League, The FA Women’s Championship and The FA Women’s National League will dedicate their matches to Heads Up to highlight the power of conversation in looking after your mental health.

The weekends will see the football family come together to kick off the biggest ever conversation around mental health through football, in support of the Heads Up campaign. They aim to highlight the power of talking as a way to support one another and normalise what can often be thought of as a difficult subject, with activity planned at fixtures across the whole men’s and women’s football calendar.

To celebrate the launch, The Duke of Cambridge joined players and managers from across the men’s and women’s game at a table football tournament held at Paddington’s Heist Bank. The Duke took part in a special eight-person game, playing alongside Watford forward Troy Deeney, Chelsea Women’s forward Fran Kirby, and Wycombe Wanderers forward Adebayo Akinfenwa.

The Duke had the opportunity to speak to players and managers about the Heads Up campaign and the importance of spreading the message that a simple conversation can be the first step towards positive mental health. His Royal Highness also learnt more about the ongoing work taking place across football around mental health, and clubs’ plans for the Heads Up Weekends.

After awarding the tournament champion and making a short speech, The Duke then spent time speaking to football fans from across the country who have supported mental health projects within their clubs and communities and heard their inspiring stories that have taken them here.

It’s time to start the biggest ever conversation on mental health. You can join us by using #KickOffAConversation and #HeadsUp.