AUSTIN Stacks Hurling & Football Club launched a new three-year sponsorship of their under-age teams and a formal partnership with Jigsaw Kerry on Sunday.

Ned O’Shea & Sons Construction Ltd and John Lane & Sons Ltd, Food Service Distributors, will jointly sponsor Austin Stacks U-17, U-15 and U-13 football teams – six teams in total – for a three-year period beginning this year, however their branding will not appear on the shirts.

The jerseys of the six sponsored teams will display the logo, ‘Jigsaw Kerry Youth Mental Health’ and Austin Stacks is also availing of the expertise of Jigsaw Kerry to provide mental health information, support and counselling for team members, both individually and in groups.

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Club Chairman Billy Ryle welcomed the partnership with Jigsaw Kerry, which is a free, non-judgemental and confidential mental health support service for young people aged 12-25 years living, working or studying in Kerry.

Billy Ryle said that it was a pleasure for Austin Stacks to be associated with two long established Kerry based companies in promoting the club’s aims and objectives and he thanked both companies for providing Austin Stacks with the financial support to maintain and improve the service that the club provides for its young players.

Benny Murphy in replying on behalf of joint-sponsors, Ned O Shea & Sons Ltd and John Lane & Sons Ltd, stated that both companies were delighted to provide a financial package to Austin Stacks at a time when it was difficult to fund under age activities.

The sponsorship will help to pay for the new jerseys as well as essential equipment. Neither company was too interested in self-promotion nor in having their logos dominating the new jerseys, Benny said.

Instead, they were using the sponsorship to promote the work of Jigsaw Kerry, which provides a range of supports for young people with issues of mental health.

He said the exposure will create awareness of the availability of the service to those who may need support in dealing with the various issues that young people encounter.

Frank O’Rahilly of Jigsaw Kerry said they were thrilled to be promoting positive mental health in the club. Jigsaw Kerry emphasises early intervention and prevention when dealing with youth mental health. He said no problem was too small.

Jigsaw Kerry will now work with the Club in promoting positive mental health through workshops, team talks and individual counselling.