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Aspley Hornets Was Created For Community And Continues To Strengthen Its Position

The Aspley Hornets was established in 1964 and was developed primarily as a junior club, serving the communities of Aspley, Carseldine and developing areas now known as Bridgeman Downs, Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Bracken Ridge and Brendale. During the Seventies and Eighties it became necessary to move into senior football to provide a path from juniors through to senior football, without players needing to change clubs. The Club now caters for the full range of football from age 6 years with Auskick, through to Super – Rules for the over 35s. Boasting two grounds and three ovals, with the main field at Graham Road, the Aspley Hornets run approximately 900 players a year. The first female over 35’s team was established this year, and the ladies took victory in their inaugural game. The Clubhouse business has grown in line with their football operations.  From a community hall to a basic bar operation to the thriving community hub it is today, the Aspley Hornets boasts a large restaurant, comfortable members’ lounge, Premiers bar and lounge bar, a bottle shop, a café area, function rooms, al fresco dining as well as entertainment facilities. With a membership base of over 20,000, the Club is proudly headed up by Danni Francis, who holds the position of General Manager. “As far as we go operating as a Club, each and every staff member strives to create an inclusive and family feel environment, where our staff really get to know our members and deliver a personalised experience to every person that walks through the door,” Ms Francis explains. “Our Club is based on the idea of getting to know each member as an individual and being there for the community, not just in terms of the football camaraderie, but for those in the community that are by themselves, or may feel isolated, we are the social connection for them, and that is what sets us apart.” In a further commitment to the community, the Aspley Hornets have this week introduced the leading technology platform, OK2PLAY? Built by Australian Tech Company, GPT, OK2PLAY? was developed to increase the speed of response between patrons of The Aspley Hornets and staff, creating the pathway for connecting patrons to discreet assistance in a seamless and frictionless manner, in real-time. As an integral part of their community, the Aspley Hornets have a social responsibility to their patrons, members, and community. By implementing OK2PLAY? they are investing in the support that they offer to the community and taking their responsibility as a community venue, seriously. “Working in the community, The Aspley Hornets sole purpose is to foster well being and belonging through sport and entertainment,” Ms Francis explained.“We are there for the members and patrons at all times. If people are struggling with mental health, gambling, personal problems, they can discreetly ask for assistance through OK2PLAY? allowing us to help our members, patrons and community further. “It is important to the Club that we can work with the community to be a support network and help someone when they are in need.” OK2PLAY? creates the journey for the Aspley Hornets patrons to gain access to assistance quickly and normalises the conversation between the Club and their patrons, ensuring it is socially acceptable to ask for help. The technology platform takes away any time barrier that may be experienced by patrons that require assistance. At the push of a button, or by scanning a QR code, a message is sent directly to senior management, who can reach out to the patron in a matter of moments. Management can then use the appropriate channels to assist the patron in gaining access to the relevant assistance. “We are really excited to make a difference in the community and to be able to have this platform in the Club, where we can ask our members and patrons – Are You Ok?” Ms Francis concluded.

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Magpies Sporting Club Mackay

OK2PLAY? Continues to Lead the Way As We Welcome Magpies Sporting Club

OK2PLAY? continues to lead the way as we welcome Magpies Sporting Club to the more than 45 Club’s who have adopted this world leading technology. OK2PLAY? has been developed in Australia to help protect and support those in need from the challenges of Problem Gambling. “OK2PLAY? is a new digital platform that will help our Club connect with our members and guests and initiate conversations with them about their mental health. Magpies Sporting Club is excited to be one of the first Clubs in regional QLD able to collaborate with the team from OK2PLAY? and initiate conversations which we are confident will only benefit our Magpies community,” explains General Manager, Magpies Sporting Club, Darren Smith. Across New South Wales and Queensland the rollout of OK2PLAY? is driving the focus to protect and support those in need from the challenges of problem gambling.  Magpies Sporting Club in Mackay, Queensland, has put their values of community and member protection first by being the first regional Club in QLD to launch this innovative technology. OK2PLAY? is designed to increase the speed of response between Club members or guests and staff. It enables discreet and private communication that delivers the fastest response times possible for a person in need. By simply scanning a QR code or signalling for help through the patented OK2PLAY? digital platform, members or patrons can request assistance for support. OK2PLAY? triggers a private in-venue response for staff to immediately (in real-time) provide help and then connect them with necessary support services. Mr Smith was honoured to note, “Our early feedback from our community has been positive, and we have been applauded for our proactive approach and commitment to member wellbeing. Our industry as a whole is very invested in the health and wellbeing of our Club customers.” “Our team really felt that the Magpies Sporting Club’s values aligned perfectly with OK2PLAY’s values in that we are both invested into protecting our Club members and guests and we are focused on creating open and honest conversations about our patron’s mental health and wellbeing.” “The implementation of the OK2PLAY platform further demonstrates to our staff and community that Magpies are committed to fostering a healthy and sustainable culture within our Club, not just limited to liquor and gaming, but to the broader health and wellbeing of our community,” said Mr Smith. With over 129 employees and a membership of more than 20,000, the Magpies Sporting Club has been an integral part of the Mackay community for 39 years, supporting local charities and providing a safe meeting place for like-minded members of the wider community. The implementation of the OK2PLAY platform further demonstrates the Club’s commitment to fostering a healthy and sustainable culture that extends beyond liquor and gaming to the broader health and wellbeing of the community. Bryan Te Wani, CEO of OK2PLAY? noted “The Magpies Sporting Club Board of Directors and Darren as GM are to be applauded for proactively seeking to deliver on their social licence to operate, more importantly they are to be applauded for caring for members and staff.” A growing focus in the Club industry, across Australia, is being placed on the need to care for staff who have to assist a member or guest when they are dealing with mental health issues and the challenges of problem gambling. Mr Te Wani added, “We see a growing number of Club’s looking to protect their staff from the negative impact of managing patrons in need and not just the patron, OK2PLAY? by its design, created from working with leading Clubs does that.” As Magpies Sporting Club embarks on Stage 1 of its Master Plan in early 2024, which includes the construction of a new administration area and a renovation of the Club’s gaming lounge, the introduction of the OK2PLAY? platform strengthens ties to the community and compliments the upcoming refurbishments by ensuring a safe place to play. In regional towns such as Mackay, Clubs play a vital role, and Magpies Sporting Club donated just shy of $1.4M to the region in the last financial year alone, making it a cornerstone of the community. OK2PLAY? will now form a key part of the Club’s values and the ever growing focus on a need to invest in strategies to deliver on the Club’s social licence to operate.

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Central Leagues Club, Charlestown Introduces OK2PLAY? to Support their Patrons and Staff

The rollout of the leading technology platform, OK2PLAY? continues across Australia as the Central Leagues Club, Charlestown, introduces the initiative to patrons. Developed by the Australian technology company GPT, OK2PLAY? allows patrons who may not feel “OK” to access support in real time, making OK2PLAY? the most advanced player protection digital platform in the world. OK2PLAY?, is a world leading technology that prompts patrons to respond to the question, “OK2PLAY?” at various points throughout the venue. Patrons respond by scanning their membership cards through the kiosks, using the press of a button or a scan of a QR code. The platform creates the journey for Central Leagues Club, Charlestown, patrons to gain access to assistance quickly and normalises the conversation between the Club and their patrons, ensuring it is socially acceptable to ask for help. Central Leagues Club, Charlestown, plays an important part and function within their community and with that, the Club is investing in OK2PLAY? as a part of their social license and responsibility for their members, patrons, and local community.

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CSI Marconi Cements Commitment to Staff, Members and Community With OK2PLAY?

CSI Marconi, the result of last year’s successful amalgamation of CSI Sport and Recreation Club with industry-leading Club Marconi launched the leading technology platform, OK2PLAY? this week.    Boasting a strong Italian heritage, CSI Marconi plays an active role in supporting the Italian culture to thrive, with a large Bocce centre and football fields. Now, the club takes its responsibility to support staff, members and the community to the next level with OK2PLAY?. CSI Marconi is fixed on delivering a secure and supportive environment for those in need by connecting patrons to discrete and timely assistance, both patrons and employees.    The cutting-edge platform that prompts patrons to respond to the question, “OK2PLAY?” was built by Aussie tech developers, GPT. Responding to the question is as easy as pressing a button or scanning the QR code spread throughout the venue, and if your response is, “Yes”, your experience will be relatively unchanged. CEO of Club Marconi, Matthew Biviano urged patrons to have the courage to answer honestly.    “Not everyone is comfortable in that initial period that they are reaching out for assistance,” Mr Biviano said.    “Sometimes they are not confident or sure on how to approach for help and this program will give another discreet or immediate way that is comfortable to them. Then that helps facilitate that next level of assistance.”   “It takes a lot of energy and is a form of bravery to step up and say, “I need help” and to raise your hand to ask for that help is quite a big move. So, the fact that they can harness that, and say today is the day for help, and there are no barriers, is a wonderful thing, and we are here to help people.”   The OK2PLAY? Technology triggers a discreet and private in-venue response from staff to assist. Patrons are then linked with support services as needed. At CSI Marconi, the team believes strongly that the new OK2PLAY? Technology will help them support their patrons, team members and the community sustainably in the long term. The system has been fully interwoven into the club’s processes and procedures to ensure that every team member can help facilitate any necessary assistance. “Whatever that help might be, we are here for the members, patrons and the community,” Mr Biviano said.

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ok2play and dolphin collaboration

Friday Night Saw the Official Inaugural Season Launch of the Dolphins NRL Team, With Over 500 Guests in Attendance

Just like the Dolphins, having a dream, building from scratch and bringing it to life, is no small feat. Six years ago, OK2PLAY? started as an idea and an inspirational thought to create a technology platform that would revolutionise the way someone needing help and support, could ask for the help they needed. To date, we have asked over 145,000 people if they are “OK2PLAY?” through our leading hospitality venue partners, and just like the Dolphins, we are committed to driving forward and making a difference. We are proud to be a Founding Partner of the Dolphins, the new 17th team in the NRL, who through grit and determination of people who over decades built a club that was, in one year, turned into a powerhouse. “Innovation is important in any business – including the NRL – so being in partnership with the OK2PLAY? player protection support solution was appealing because like the Dolphins, this system is making a difference in local communities,” Terry Reader, CEO, Dolphins, said. OK2PLAY? CEO, Bryan Te Wani, explains, “My business partner’s first job was at Redcliffe. Forty-three years later we are thrilled to be part of an organisation with values of community and care. We can’t wait to see the first game for the Arthur Beetson Trophy and we are excited to take our journey with a partner who matches our philosophies. This was a critical union as far as OK2PLAY? was concerned. We want to align with a club with the same level of integrity and commitment to staff, players and the community.”

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A Proud Tradition of Supporting Community Holds True

Collegians Rugby League Football Club have proudly been an integral part of the local community since they first opened their doors in 1963. Now with five clubs in the greater Wollongong area being; Collegians Wollongong, Collegians Balgownie, Collegians Figtree, Port Kembla Leagues and Illawarra Leagues, they are proud to provide a source of enjoyment with their casual and formal meeting spaces, beautiful restaurants, excellent coffee in their cafes along with a host of entertainment options, for thousands of members and visitors each day. Working with the community, Collegians Rugby League Football Club continues to support a range of Wollongong & Greater Illawarra community groups including sporting groups, local charities & charitable events. The club was originally formed to support local Rugby League, and they continue to do so today with a strong Senior Rugby League Team with Under 18’s, Reserve & First Grade Teams. Alongside this, Collegians supports Juniors with 480 players including approximately 120 girls. They also provide major sports sponsorship to the Illawarra Stingrays, Port Kembla Junior Rugby League, Wollongong United Football Club, Balgownie Football Club, Corrimal Swimming Club and Cardinals Baseball Team. With a clear vision of supporting local communities, over time, Collegians has now donated over 250,000 meals to Wesley Mission and also have a very clear criteria of supporting both breakfast clubs for children in schools along with a range of other community organisations that are focussed on wellbeing for the community. In further support of the local community at Balgownie, they also own and operate their own butcher shop which sources product from local producers and sells direct to the public as well as supplying their own restaurants, cafes and the ever popular raffle trays across the group. To continue on for the commitment to the community, Collegians Rugby League Football Club, as a group, has introduced the leading Australian technology, OK2PLAY? Developed to increase the speed of response between a patron of a venue and staff, the technology creates the pathway for connecting patrons to assistance in a discreet, seamless, and frictionless manner, in real time. OK2PLAY? takes away any time barrier that may be experienced by patrons that require assistance. By scanning a QR code, a message is sent directly to senior management, who can reach out to the patron in a matter of moments. Management can then use the appropriate channels to assist the patron in gaining access to the relevant assistance. “Our business is in the business of looking after people. OK2PLAY? gives the opportunity for us to go one step further in looking after the members and guests that come into our venues,” Michael Wilkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Collegians R.L.F.C, who has been at the helm of the group in his current position for over 12 years, explains. “As part of Collegians commitment and care to our members and guests we are proud to have OK2PLAY? in our venues, which offers a more robust response to customers that may need assistance and support. It allows us to collectively ensure that we continue to support those that find themselves no longer enjoying or are requiring additional support from their local club and community by opening the conversation.”

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woonona bulli rsl - michael

Strong Ties To The Community Propels Woonona Bulli RSL

With a membership base of 13,000 people, Woonona Bulli RSL is a social hub and connection point for the whole community. Being situated on the south coast of NSW, the Club has an enviable position and takes advantage of coastal life with a range of outdoor spaces that the community utilise on a daily basis. “We have extensive outdoor areas for the community to take advantage of, and on the weekend the outdoor spaces are dominated by functions. Locals and visitors alike come to hire the outdoor spaces for birthdays from 1st birthday parties to 100th birthday parties and of course other general social functions,” Michael Brennan, General Manager, Woonona Bulli RSL, explained. The Club which employs around 80 staff, has a strong food and beverage offering and caters to the family market. It also houses other facilities such as a gym that 650 members use on a regular basis. Connection to the RSL Sub Branch is of extreme importance to Woonona Bulli RSL. The Sub Branch office is open 5 days a week for advocacy or to meet with people, and has a strong base of 80 members. “We have around 2,500 people here for the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. The Club is extremely proud to have the Sub Branch office open throughout the week, and based on that, every decision the Club makes, considers the RSL as part of the outcome,” Mr Brennan, said. With the introduction of OK2PLAY? Woonona Bulli RSL is cementing their commitment to the community. OK2PLAY? is a world leading technology platform, built by Australian Tech Company, GPT, that has been developed to increase the speed of response between a patron of the Club and staff, creating the pathway for connecting Woonona Bulli RSL patrons to assistance in a discreet, seamless, and frictionless manner, in real time. “We take our role and responsibility in the community very seriously. We do acknowledge that we play a significant role and we do think about the community and every decision we make has our community at the centre of it, and that is what we are focussed on.” “Being proactive, the Management and the Board adopted this program to speak to the community and ask them if they are OK. We do care about them as individuals, and we wanted a way to let them know we are here and able to help them, if they do need it.” “We are moving to normalise the conversation and appreciating that there are people in the community that do need help, and they may have never had the opportunity to ask for the help they need,” Mr Brennan concluded.

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OK2PLAY? Joins Dolphins NRL Team as Proud Founding Partner

As the Dolphins prepare to take the field for their history making first NRL season in 2023, OK2PLAY? stands with them as a proud founding partner for the next three years. The dolphins have a rich and long history with Rugby League. As they enter the NRL, the Club’s mission is to create a lasting positive impact in the broader community by becoming the most successful, inclusive, and respected Club in Australian sport. The Dolphins are proud for OK2PLAY? to be joining them, as OK2PLAY? looks to change the existing landscape by normalising the conversation around mental health and increasing the speed to access appropriate support. Both OK2PLAY? and the Dolphins are eager to extend from their joint base of community and family to assist each other in their endeavours over the coming years. “Innovation is important in any business – including the NRL – so being in partnership with the OK2PLAY? player protection support solution was appealing because like the Dolphins, this system is making a difference in local communities. “We welcome OK2PLAY? as a partner of the Dolphins and will be assisting them in promoting the changes they are making,” Terry Reader, CEO, Dolphins, explains. OK2PLAY? CEO, Bryan Te Wani, explains, “My business partner’s first job was at Redcliffe. Forty-three years later we are thrilled to be part of an organisation with values of community and care. We can’t wait to see the first game for the Arthur Beetson Trophy and we are excited to take our journey with a partner who matches our philosphies. This was a critical union as far as OK2PLAY? was concerned. We want to align with a club with the same level of integrity and commitment to staff, players and the community”. “We have asked 130,000 people over the last 100 days if they are OK through different mediums. Our partnership is a way to Normalise the Conversation around Mental Health and Problem Gambling in a wider community than we thought possible in our first year. “It takes a lot to change both industry and community mindset, but with already 50 venues utilising OK2PLAY? we are dedicated to pursuing this change. Our commitment is our force, and there is no better example of commitment than Bob’s (Chairman) and Tony’s (Group CEO) drive to have Redcliffe in the NRL. We look forward to sharing a XXXX and celebrating their achievements in the opening round.” Mr Te Wani concluded. FAST FACTS: Fans of the NRL, Members, patrons of leading Clubs, and the general public alike, will have access to OK2Play? –  a world leading technology which normalises the conversation and ensures it is socially acceptable to ask for help. OK2PLAY? is developed to increase the speed of response for people seeking help and support. OK2PLAY? creates the pathway for discreet, seamless, and frictionless connection for people to gain assistance in real time.

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Industry recognises OK2PLAY? as essential technology

Available in leading venues across NSW and Qld, the rollout of OK2PLAY? continues as the industry recognises its effectiveness in providing essential one-on-one contact for patrons requiring support. The OK2PLAY? technology removes the barriers involved with reaching out for help directly to staff by providing multiple check-in points around venues at which patrons are asked, “Are you OK2PLAY?”. Patrons can respond “no”, triggering an alert with Senior Staff to initiate an immediate, discreet response to connect with the patron. Moorebank Sporties was the first Australian venue to adopt OK2PLAY? technology. CEO, Jeff Gibbs, said, “It is our responsibility to provide care to patrons. I definitely believe the anonymity will assist those that need help. Gaming is a social experience. Technology is anonymous and also non-judgemental and I believe we would have more accurate welfare checks using technology”. Mario Machado, CEO of Hornsby RSL stated “We recently had a representative of “Gamble Aware Week” from Wesley Mission at Hornsby RSL who was shown the OK2PLAY? initiative. She was very impressed with the concept and the forward initiative shown by the Club. This kind of feedback from outside qualified sources reinforces our beliefs that we are making good decisions and making Hornsby RSL a comfortable environment for difficult conversations, such as asking for support”. Central Coast Leagues Club CEO, Edward Camilleri, explained, “For most of our patrons coming to our venue is an enjoyable and entertaining experience. It would be irresponsible of us to assume that is the case for everyone though, and OK2PLAY? offered us the opportunity to ensure we recognise patrons who may not feel OK on a particular day, and to further build our relationships with them to assist them to find support in a timely manner”. “The technology is simple for us as a club, and easy for patrons to use, and that’s the key. We want people to know it’s ok to ask for help here, and in fact, we encourage them to. It’s a chance for us to normalise the conversations where people need to ask for help, and that’s important”. Caloundra RSL Club CEO, Graham Devin explained, “I believe it’s important we, as a community minded venue, raise this conversation in a positive manner. It isn’t about labels or identification. We believe raising awareness of the potential issue of problem gambling amongst patrons is important for everyone, not just for those with problem gambling. Our goal is to provide an environment where people can find assistance in an empathetic and non-judgmental way”. Neale Genge, Secretary Manager of Casino RSM Club explains, “It is not easy for someone to ask for help. If we can help connect our patrons with support, then that is a great first step forward for them and really what our Club is all about – being there for people and the community. By implementing OK2Play? we are investing in the support that we offer to the community and taking our responsibility as a community venue, seriously,” Mr Genge concluded. The common theme amongst venues to adopt OK2PLAY? is a commitment to proactively remove any perceived barriers to ask for support and normalise the conversation within their venue.

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