“The WRU is committed to putting player welfare at the heart of our game and we aim to assist our clubs in the community by providing education, guidance, and tools to help support them,” said Geraint John, the WRU’s Community Rugby Director.
“We recognise the impact that LooseHeadz are having on mental wellbeing and knowing that their toolkit has been created with Mental Health Foundation support, we are pleased to refer clubs who need help and advice on mental wellbeing to them”.
Geraint John.
A bespoke toolkit of resources for rugby clubs would become available which includes an online training platform leading to CPD qualification, a wellbeing check-in platform, and a 24-7 text line, where people who text ‘RUGBY’ to 85258 can talk to a trained operator within 15 minutes to help and support their mental health.
LooseHeadz Co-Founder, Dave Nicholls said, “The ultimate goal for LooseHeadz now is having a ‘Loosehead’ mental health lead in every rugby club.
“We know that’s an ambitious target, however, having that role in a club really makes a difference. The biggest thing is having someone who is passionate about it, someone who gets and understands the rugby club environment and is equally passionate about rugby and mental health.
“The help we offer is designed for everyone in a rugby club, men and women players, coaches, and members from youngsters to walking rugby.”
The WRU is glad to direct member clubs to LooseHeadz, as they have the potential to help and support countless rugby club volunteers.
The ultimate goal for the Welsh Rugby Union and LooseHeadz is to offer free player welfare guidance and support to all community clubs across Wales and to have a ‘Loosehead’ mental health lead in every rugby club across the country.
The WRU has also established its own Wellbeing Centre, which has been developed to provide clubs and players with education, guidance, and tools to assist with wellbeing matters. Click here
The WRU can also provide player welfare support throughout our game to develop and enhance support and guidance for community game clubs. This includes guidance regarding mental health and wellbeing, maintaining injury surveillance and prevention projects, concussion protocols, gender participation eligibility and any other rugby welfare related matters both on and off the field.
For further information on how to register your club, please contact the WRU Integrity Team on integrity@wru.wales or visit the LooseHeadz website: Click here
