Falcons announce game-changing mental health partnership with Lookout 07

Leon Stensholm and Sunshine Coast Falcons CEO Chris Flannery. (Supplied)

The Sunshine Coast Falcons have announced a groundbreaking new partnership with Lookout 07, the locally based mental health and wellness organisation.

Lookout 07 is led by former bodybuilder, speaker, author, counsellor and 2024 Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year, Leon Stensholm.

Leon said he was excited by the new collaboration which will support the mental wellbeing of Falcons players and staff through education, resources and proactive mentoring support services.

“We are thrilled to have this partnership in place with the Falcons, a number of their players have aspirations to play at the highest level and our program aims to address the pressures faced by high-performance athletes, including the demands of travel, time away from family, injury recovery, and the mental strain brought on by social media and public expectations,” he said.

“This is more than just a presentation, it’s a holistic program designed to support our athletes as people. I’ll be working directly with the Falcons to run sessions on building resilience, managing stress and anxiety, mental health in the workplace, and practical mindset and fitness strategies.

“Importantly, we’re keeping the connection strong with monthly video updates for players, staff, and supporters—sharing mindset tips, progress updates, and showing how this partnership is making a difference. It’s about culture, care, and long-term success, both on and off the field.”

The partnership also includes access to Lookout 07’s training facility at Warana, and a special Footy Kidz fun session where young fans can interact with players in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Sunshine Coast Falcons chief executive officer Chris Flannery said the initiative reflects the club’s commitment to whole-person development.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Leon and Lookout 07 to the Falcons family. This partnership isn’t just about performance—it’s about providing our players and staff with the tools they need to thrive in every area of life,” he said.

“Mental health is such a huge part of the modern game and our daily lives. Through this partnership, our team will benefit from expert presentations around mindset, health and nutrition, and resilience-building, as well as free access to private counselling when needed.

“The use of Lookout 07’s training facilities gives us even more flexibility in preparing our player, and we’re especially excited about the Footy Kidz session—it’s a great way to give back to our community in a meaningful and fun way.

“This partnership marks a major step forward for the Falcons in prioritising mental fitness alongside physical performance. We are creating a model of support that other clubs may look to replicate in the future,” Chris said.