Offload: Building ‘mental fitness’ through rugby league
ConnectSport is official media partner for the European Healthy Stadia Conference at the Emirates Stadium on 27 April. At the conference, the charity Rugby League Cares will present their new programme dedicated to building ‘mental fitness’ in men, The Offload Project. ConnectSport spoke to Emma Goldsmith, from Rugby League Cares.
Please could you provide a short overview of Rugby League Cares?
Rugby League Cares is the sport’s independent charity which works with stakeholders from across the game to provide current and former players with practical and financial assistance in areas such as education, training and welfare. Working with club foundations, the charity also provides targeted health and wellbeing support to the sport’s community, protects and nurtures the game’s rich heritage and, through the RFL Benevolent Fund, supports players who have experienced life-changing injuries.
Tell us about the Offload Project. How many clubs are running it, who is it funded by, what are the objectives, when and how will you report back on the outcomes?
Offload is a male-focussed, mental fitness programme that uses the power of rugby league clubs and players to break down barriers, remove stigma and offer support to men who want to build a stronger mindset. It is run by Rugby League Cares, funded by the Big Lottery and is being supported by State of Mind and OddBalls Foundation. Initial pilot programmes are being run by club foundations at Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings.
Over 10 x 80 minute fixtures, men join forces with past and current players to find out what challenges they face on and off the pitch, for example bouncing back from injury, handling criticism, or managing life in the public eye. Local men are then supported to use the same mental fitness techniques our elite athletes use in to manage their own challenges, eg mindfulness, five ways to wellbeing, resilience, and challenging negative thinking. In the second half of each fixture, men participate in a range of diverse, fun activities including stadium tours, player meet-and-greets, physical activity and team competitions. Through this, men are given the space to ‘offload’, develop strong social support networks, learn new skills, meet their rugby league heroes and feel a part of the club’s community.
Over two years, Offload is aiming to support 1,800 men. Expected outcomes for the male participants include:
- Improved coping strategies
- Feeling less lonely and isolated
- Being able to better understand their own behaviours and more able to handle crises
- Improved relationships with family members
- Access to additional community and volunteering activities
- An increased desire for change and increased interest in education, training and employment
We are delighted that we are being supported by Professor Alan White and his team at Leeds Beckett University who will also be conducting a thorough independent analysis of Offload.
What is ‘mental fitness’ and why did you feel this was a good fit for your target audience?
Mental fitness is a proactive, positive term for mental health. We believe mental fitness is having a strong, healthy mindset which allows you to handle the challenges and opportunities that life puts in front of you. Having mental fitness is about being on top of your game and getting the most out of life.
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