Exeter College Launch
Mental Health Workshops for Young Rugby Players
Exeter College has partnered with Brave Mind, a leading charity dedicated to improving mental health in rugby, to launch a pilot series of mental health and wellbeing workshops tailored for its young rugby players.
Led by Sports & Exercise Psychologist Alex Powell & Trainee Psychologist Zoë Dunn, these workshops will support 30 male and female rugby affiliated students (aged 16-18) living within accommodation settings provided by Exeter College. This initiative represents a significant effort to address the mental health challenges that young rugby players often encounter, both on and off the field.
The pilot workshops will cover essential topics designed to equip students with practical tools to navigate the demands of both their academic and rugby lives.
The sessions will focus on several critical areas:
Transitions & Self-Care: Students will explore strategies to manage the significant transitions they face, whether it’s adjusting to college life, balancing sports with studies, or preparing for future career moves. The emphasis will be on self-care practices that sustain both physical and mental health.
Anxiety Management: This session will provide students with a set of tools to help manage anxiety, a common issue among athletes under pressure to perform. Techniques for recognising, managing, and reducing anxiety will be further explored within this session.
Goal Setting: Setting and achieving goals is crucial in both sports and academics. Students will learn effective goal-setting strategies that help them stay motivated and on track, whether on the rugby field or in the classroom.
Pressure & Mindset: This workshop will address the various pressures of competitive sports and identify a range of coping skills to help effectively manage pressure. Students will learn about the differences between a fixed and growth mindset and how mindset can increase their chances of reaching their full potential.
Kristyn Woodward, Director of Student Services & DSL at Exeter College, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “Supporting our students’ mental health is as vital as supporting their academic and athletic achievements. These workshops will provide our rugby players with essential tools to manage the unique pressures they face, both on and off the field. At the end of this pilot, we will look to take valuable learnings and roll out the programme to other student athletes, outside of rugby.”
Simon Trower, Founder of Brave Mind, also commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Exeter College in this pilot programme. Mental health in sport, specifically rugby is often overlooked, and this initiative demonstrates the College’s commitment to the wellbeing of its rugby playing students. We’re excited to see the positive impact this will have on the participants.”
As mental health continues to be a crucial topic in sports, this collaboration between Exeter College and Brave Mind serves as a model for how educational institutions can support their student-athletes. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of their development, these workshops will play a pivotal role in fostering well-rounded, resilient individuals ready to face the challenges of their future endeavours.
To support Brave Mind's mission and help them continue providing valuable mental health resources to rugby players and other athletes, please consider making a donation. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of young people struggling with their mental health.