Hi, I’m Si Trower
Rugby has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the age of six, I’ve been part of the rugby community, starting out at Henley RFC - playing minis, juniors, and eventually seniors and more recently helping out at Maidenhead RFC. Rugby isn’t just a sport to me; it’s been a second home, a place where I’ve always felt like I belonged.
But life hasn’t always been smooth sailing. From a young age, I’ve experienced depression and anxiety. It’s something I live with every day. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of ways to manage it – medication, sessions with a clinical psychologist, you name it. Along the way, I’ve learned what works for me, and one of the biggest things has been talking to people I trust. Whether it’s family or close friends, just being able to open up when I’m feeling low makes a world of difference.
“For a long time, rugby was my escape. It was where I could leave all the heavy stuff off the pitch, get stuck into the game, and feel like myself again. But looking back, I can see it was a bit of a mask. I’d laugh, joke, and join in with the "banter," but deep down, I was struggling. What I really wanted was to feel understood and to connect with people on a deeper level, without pretending everything was fine.
“Today, I’m heartened to see the stigma surrounding mental health beginning to lift, particularly in the world of rugby and sport. Inspired by this progress and my desire to help others, I started Brave Mind….born out of rugby…
