Wellington players raise money for mental health support with world record attempt

A group of 28 Wellington footballers will attempt to break the World Record for playing a continuous game of indoor football for 45 hours. The friends, who all play for Victoria University teams, will use the November 18-20 event to raise money for mental health support, and to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The project — called More than a Game — has already raised more than $36,000 through project and player sponsorships and donations.

The current record, as determined by the Guinness Book of Records, is 36 hours. The Wellingtonians plan to eclipse it, playing from Friday night to Sunday night. They will play in four-hour shifts, rotating with other players to ensure a single continuous game. Off the pitch, players will ice and stretch, wind down, shower, sleep, and repeat until 45 hours is up. Each player will undertake six blocks of four hours playing and run/walk about 10 km in each of those shifts — the equivalent of running a marathon.

The venue for the event is the indoor football arena at Kelburn Campus, next to the Boyd Wilson field.

 Past attempt at the record

It's not the first time a New Zealand attempt has been made for the indoor football world record. In the mid-1970s, the national women's team played a continuous game at Auckland's YMCA to raise funds to get them to an overseas tournament. The women completed 26 hours, falling short of the record which was then held by a Scottish men's team, but raising more than $10,000 in their attempt.

How to donate

Click here to see who has sponsored the event and to donate online. 

How to follow More than a Game‍

Click here to follow the progress of the squad as they prepare for their World Record attempt.

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Story Jonathan Ross