As Dan Carter approached the end of his career, he was asked that if he could go back in time and change one aspect of it, what would it be? The New Zealand outside-half, one of the greatest players of the professional era, replied that he wished he had consulted a sports psychologist from the beginning.
He said that when he started out, seeing a psychologist was regarded as a sign of weakness and just as players tended to shrug off knocks to the head, so issues they had in their lives and careers were allowed to fester, often hampering performance.
Players today are encouraged to seek help and this month Premiership Rugby is supporting Restart, the charity set up by the Rugby Players’ Association to support anyone suffering from serious injury, illness or hardship and it has set up a 24/7 confidential counselling service to help with mental health issues.
It is that service that has been the focus of this month’s awareness drive with a player from every club appointed an ambassador for Restart. Five kilometre runs have been organised by the 12 clubs, Saracens and Team England with a leader board ensuring competition.
“One of the stigmas of rugby is that it is a game played by big, hard men who do not get affected by anything and so they do not have to talk about their emotions or anything that is concerning them,” said Gloucester’s Restart ambassador and captain, Lewis Ludlow. “Sometimes the stuff on the pitch is the easy bit: a big part of rugby is how you relax with your mates off the pitch but in the pandemic the focus has had to be on the game without that release.
This story is from the May 16, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 16, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
