York RLFC Foundation is delighted to announce a further boost to its mental health and wellbeing programmes!
Ahead of the Game is an award-winning mental fitness programme developed and funded by Movember, with Rugby League Cares chosen as their implementation partner. This work further strengthens the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the physical, mental and social wellbeing in communities
Ahead of the Game is one of Movember’s flagship programmes and has already been delivered successfully to thousands of young people across the country. Designed for players aged 12-18, as well as parents, coaches and volunteers, the programme aims to improve understanding of mental health, increase confidence in seeking help, reduce stigma and equip participants with the skills to support themselves and others
Research from the programme has shown positive impacts, including improved mental health literacy, greater willingness to support teammates experiencing difficulties, increased confidence in seeking help and a better understanding of common mental health challenges
The new programme will initially be made available to community rugby league clubs across York and North Yorkshire, before expanding into educational settings, helping even more young people access vital support and education around mental wellbeing
Participating clubs will be able to access two one-hour workshops delivered on the same evening, allowing sessions to be tailored. Clubs can choose to offer separate workshops for different age groups of players or combine a player workshop with a dedicated session for parents, coaches and volunteers
Workshops explore some of the most important issues facing young people today, including how to deal with life’s challenges both on and off the field, how to have important conversations about mental health, and how to recognise when a teammate may be struggling and needs support
Adam Prentis, Delivery Manager at York RLFC Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud to be expanding our mental health and wellbeing offer through Ahead of the Game
“Supporting the wellbeing of young people, coaches, volunteers and families is a key priority for the Foundation, and this programme provides practical tools, knowledge and confidence that can make a real difference both within sport and everyday life
“We’re excited to bring this fantastic opportunity to clubs across York and North Yorkshire.”
