Rugby

Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich Launch New Pilot Programme

Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich have launched the Tackle Your Feelings Schools mental wellbeing pilot programme today

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2020

Joshua Freeman

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Monday 17th February 2020 Mandatory Credit: Darren Kidd, Press Eye Rugby Players Ireland & Zurich Launch the New Tackle Your Feelings Schools Mental Wellbeing Programme and App 17/2/2020 Today, Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich have launched the new Tackle Your Feelings Schools mental wellbeing programme and App as part of their #ImTakingControl campaign. Pictured is Ulster and Ireland rugby player and campaign ambassador, Stuart McCloskey who is encouraging students to ÔTake ControlÕ and proactively care for their mental wellbeing using principles from both sport and positive psychology. The new pilot progamme, which will be rolled out in multiple schools across the island of Ireland, is designed to instil a positive approach to mental health and wellbeing among young people, reducing stigma around mental health and encouraging the development of positive wellbeing habits which they can bring into adulthood. Research commissioned by Zurich and Rugby Players Ireland, conducted by iReach across the island of Ireland, found that one in four Irish children have missed school due to issues around their mental wellbeing. However, 84% of parents agree that seeing role models like rugby players Ôtaking controlÕ of their mental wellbeing empowers their child to start talking. Press Release Photography available FOC from Press Eye Photography RUGBY PLAYER STUART McCLOSKEY LAUNCHES RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND AND ZURICH TACKLE YOUR FEELINGS SCHOOLS MENTAL WELLBEING PILOT PROGRAMME RESEARCH REVEALS ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN ON THS ISLAND OF IRELAND HAVE MISSED SCHOOL DUE TO ISSUES AROUND THEIR MENTAL WELLBEING* Monday, 17th February 2020: Today, Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich have launched the new Tackle Your Feelings Schools mental wellbeing pilot programme and App as part of the second phase of the #ImTakingControl campaign. Ireland & Ulster Rugby Player and campaign ambassador, Stuart McCloskey is encouraging students across the island of Ireland to ÔTake ControlÕ and proactively care for their mental wellbeing as part of their daily routines. The Tackle Your Feelings ÔTake ControlÕ campaign aims to promote a proactive attitude towards mental health and to provide people with the tools to ÔTake ControlÕ of their mental wellbeing using principles from both sport and positive psychology. The Tackle Your Feelings Schools pilot programme is classroom-based, with designated wellbeing classes running in the last term of the 2020 academic year. The programme is aimed at students around 15 years old who are about to embark on their next steps into the senior cycle of their secondary education. Multiple schools across the island of Ireland have been recruited to pilot the programme and their students will work to develop coping skills and enhance their support networks, putting them in the best position to ÔTake ControlÕ of their mental wellbeing. The programme is designed to instil a positive approach to mental health and wellbeing among young people, reducing stigma around mental health and encouraging the development of positive wellbeing habits which they can bring into adulthood. Recent research, commissioned by Zurich & Rugby Players Ireland and conducted by iReach with parents across the island of Ireland revealed: One in five parents donÕt believe their child understands the importance of mental wellbeing 68% of parents agreed that schools prioritise their childÕs physical health over their mental health One in four children have missed school due to issues around their mental wellbeing 86% of parents believe more needs to be done in school to help their child take control of their mental wellbeing 84% of parents agree that seeing role models like rugby players Ôtaking controlÕ of their mental wellbeing empowers their child to start talking 68% of parents believe their child will be more likely to discuss the topic of mental wellbeing with their friends if they download the Tackle Your Feelings App and complete the programme The TYF [Tackle Your Feelings] Schools App has been designed to work as part of a classroom programme with students guided through relevant resources, completing exercises which enhance their awareness and knowledge of relevant mental wellbeing topics. The App has been designed in a linear format with each resource building from the previous one, once a resource is complete, the next will unlock. There are also some unique features within the app like player videos and a custom designed game. Commenting on the launch of the new Tackle Your Feelings Schools pilot programme, Ireland and Ulster Rugby Player & campaign ambassador Stuart McCloskey said: ÒIÕm delighted to be an ambassador for the Tackle Your Feelings Schools pilot programme and App. When I reflect on my own school experiences I can really see how students in school now would benefit from a programme like Tackle Your Feelings. It is important for students to acknowledge when theyÕre feeling down and not let those feelings consume them. I firmly believe that talking to friends and family is not a weakness, it just makes them aware of how youÕre feeling and being in a good place mentally and emotionally enables you to excel in all aspects of life!Ó Anthony Brennan, CEO, Zurich Ireland said: ÒWe at Zurich are delighted to support this schools pilot programme for Tackle Your Feelings with Rugby Players Ireland. The research shows that seeing role models like rugby players Ôtaking controlÕ of their mental wellbeing empowers all of us to start talking, across schools and wider society. We believe the new schools pilot programme and App will encourage students to be more proactive when it comes to minding their own mental health and wellbeing and help to incorporate mental wellbeing into their daily routine.Ó Tackle Your Feelings, Campaign Manager, RPI, Hannah McCormack, said: ÒWeÕre excited to launch the Tackle Your Feelings schools pilot programme and App as part of the #ImTakingControl campaign, supported by Zurich. This pilot programme aims to break down stigma and encourage students to become more proactive about looking after their mental wellbeing. We are delighted to have Stuart McCloskey on board as an ambassador for the campaign, he recognises that as a rugby player he has the power to inspire young people and help to destigmatise mental wellbeing. There is also a chance for parents to become part of the TYF community and keep up to date on the latest Tackle Your Feelings news by downloading the App and following Tackle Your Feelings on Instagram.Ó Tackle Your Feelings is an innovative and unique approach to breaking down stigma around emotional wellbeing. Built on a foundation of diversity and inclusion, the campaign encompasses the whole island of Ireland and features some of IrelandÕs most loved rugby players leading from the front, opening up about their own mental wellbeing challenges and the strategies they used to overcome them, so that young people of Ireland can follow their lead. Since its launch in 2016, Tackle Your Feelings has impacted the lives of people all over the world, with campaign content being viewed in excess of 23 million times. TYF has motivated people to be more proactive when it comes to looking after their mental wellbeing and has increased awareness around the importance of taking care of your mental health. TYF has also reached international audiences and has inspired similar campaigns across the globe, including; The English Rugby PlayersÕ Association (RPA), ÔLift the WeightÕ campaign, New Zealand RugbyÕs ÔHeadFirstÕ campaign and Tackle Your Feelings Australia, a collaboration between Zurich Australia, the AFLPA and AFLCA. For more information on Tackle Your Feelings follow the Instagram account @tyf or visit the website www.tackleyourfeelings.com which will share videos, updates on events and competitions. ENDS For further details please contact: Anne Smyth 07966402460 / [email protected] Editors Notes About Rugby Players Ireland: Rugby Players Ireland, as the representative body for IrelandÕs professional rugby players, consistently strives to make Ireland the best place in the world to play rugby. Rugby Players Ireland is working towards achieving this vision by ensuring that player welfare is always prioritized and that there are fair and equitable terms and conditions for players. The association also adopts a whole of life approach to player development and ensures that the profile enjoyed by IrelandÕs rugby players contributes to the future development not just of Irish rugby but Irish society as a whole. For more information log on to www.rugbyplayersireland.ie or on Twitter https://twitter.com/RugbyPlayersIRE About Zurich: Zurich is one of IrelandÕs leading insurance companies providing a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. The company employs over 1,000 people across its locations in Dublin and Wexford. Zurich in Ireland is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. ZurichÕs customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. www.zurich.ie *The survey was conducted by iReach Insights on behalf of Zurich and Rugby Players Ireland for Tackle Your Feelings ÔTake ControlÕ campaign. The research was conducted on the Island of Ireland and received 853 responses. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th JanuaryÊand 30th January 2020 using the iReach Consumer Decisions All Island Omnibus. This delivered a high-level statistical accuracy across ROI and NI and provides a confidence level of + or Ð 2.5% at a 95% confidence interval.

(Photo Credit; Darren Kidd, Press Eye)

Earlier today Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich launched the Tackle Your Feelings Schools mental wellbeing pilot programme and App.

The launched was the second phase of the #ImTakingControl campaign. The campaign is aiming to create a proactive attitude around mental health and provide people with tools to help with their mental health by using principles from both sport and psychology.

The pilot programme is classroom-based and is aimed at students around the age of 15, with these students around the age of when they head into the second-half of their cycle in secondary school.

Research done by Zurich and Rugby Players Ireland and conducted by iReach has revealed several things including that one in five parents don’t understand the importance of mental wellbeing despite one in four children missing school due to issues surrounding their mental wellbeing.

However, 84% of parents agree that seeing role models like rugby players ‘taking control’ of their mental wellbeing empowers their child to start talking.

Speaking at the launch Ireland and Ulster centre and campaign ambassador Stuart McCloskey is happy to be working on the programme and believes talking about your feelings is a key is helping you excel in life.

“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the Tackle Your Feelings Schools pilot programme and App. When I reflect on my own school experiences I can really see how students in school now would benefit from a programme like Tackle Your Feelings. It is important for students to acknowledge when they’re feeling down and not let those feelings consume them. I firmly believe that talking to friends and family is not a weakness, it just makes them aware of how you’re feeling and being in a good place mentally and emotionally enables you to excel in all aspects of life!” he said.

The programme itself will be run in the last term of the 2020 academic year with the hope that it can be of use to youngsters in years to come.

Since the Take Your Feelings initiative was launched in 2016 it has impacted on people all over the world and the campaign content has been viewed over 23 million times, with the hope to motivate people to be more proactive when it comes to their mental health.

To Find Out More on the Programme Check Out the Link Below or Check Out the App:

www.tackleyourfeelings.com

Premiership

Sharks sign respected Full-back on 1 year deal

Published

2 months ago

August 10, 2022

Huge Rugby

Former Gloucester full-back Jason Woodward joins Sale Sharks ahead of 2022/23 Premiership season

Sale Sharks have signed versatile full-back Jason Woodward on a one-year deal ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.

The former Bristol Bears and Gloucester man, who can also play on the wing and in the centre, put pen to paper today and will join Alex Sanderson’s squad ahead of their opening pre-season clash against Caldy RFC on August 19.

Jason signed for Bristol from Super Rugby side the Hurricanes in 2016, before joining Gloucester the following year after Bristol’s relegation from the Premiership. He went on to make made 67 appearances and score 90 points for the Cherry and Whites.

The 32-year-old represented New Zealand at U20 level but qualifies for England through his grandmother and was called into a training camp by Eddie Jones in 2017.

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “After speaking with Jason it was clear he was still motivated to perform at the highest level, and he was keen for a move North to join the Sharks.

“Jason is a proven Premiership performer who will add a great deal of quality and experience to what is a young squad here.

“He has the ability to play in a number of positions and that’s a massive bonus for us with such a busy schedule ahead.

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby

International

RFU Council votes in favour of change to gender participation policy

Published

2 months ago

July 29, 2022

Huge Rugby

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Press release issued by Rugby Football Union

The RFU Council has approved a new gender participation policy following extensive stakeholder consultation and thorough review of all available scientific evidence
New policy takes a precautionary approach by prioritising safety of players
RFU promoting opportunities for everyone to participate in rugby offering a range of formats and ways to get involved along with a confidential helpline
RFU committed to working with World Rugby and UK Sports Councils to ensure further research is conducted and to reviewing the policy on a regular basis

Following an extensive RFU consultation, the RFU Council has voted in favour of updating its gender participation policy for rugby in England from the start of the 2022/23 season with 33 in favour, 26 against and 2 abstaining.

The RFU began a detailed review of its policy in Autumn 2020, this included a game wide survey receiving over 11,000 responses, extensive consultation with and listening to a wide range of independent experts as well as considering all available scientific evidence along with liaising with other sporting bodies.

The review and consultation concluded that detailed peer reviewed research provides evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex originally recorded as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by testosterone and male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression.
This science provides the basis of the new gender participation policy that concludes the inclusion of trans people originally recorded male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.

The RFU Council has determined that until such time as new further peer-reviewed science is available, a precautionary approach is appropriate to ensure fair competition and safety of all competitors. Therefore, the RFU Council approved a policy change to only permit players in the female category if the sex originally recorded at birth is female.

The RFU recognises this was a complex and difficult decision and the policy change was not taken lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation. Speaking about the decision, RFU President, His Honour Jeff Blackett said: “I would like to thank everyone for the passion, time and effort that has been put in to consulting with us and informing this policy review. Inclusion is at the heart of rugby values and we will continue to work with everyone to keep listening, learning and finding ways to demonstrate there is a place for everyone in our game. We know that many will be disappointed by this decision however, it has been based on all the scientific evidence available. Our game can be strengthened by everyone who is involved; be it in coaching, refereeing, administration or supporting and playing non-contact forms of the game.”

The RFU also considered the merits of a case-by-case assessment process, but in light of the research findings and work of World Rugby and the UK Sports Councils, and given the difficulties in identifying a credible test to assess physiological variables, this is no longer a viable option at this time and does not necessarily ensure inclusion. World Rugby has a dedicated funding stream for research in this area and the RFU will continue to work with World Rugby and other stakeholders in promoting research to continue.

In the male category, players whose sex recorded at birth is female may play if they provide their written consent and a risk assessment is carried out.

The RFU is committed to supporting and encouraging opportunities for everyone to participate in rugby including non-contact formats of the game and through coaching, refereeing or volunteering roles. If anyone would like to find out more about how rugby can be inclusive to them and would like to get involved they can contact the RFU via [email protected] . For anyone who wants advice on mental-wellbeing please see this link.

The RFU has contacted the registered trans women players, who the revised policy has a direct impact on, to offer its support in continuing to encourage them to participate in the sport. The RFU will continue to listen and review its policy on a regular basis and welcomes all new research on this subject to inform these reviews.

For further information on the review please click here:
RFU Gender Participation Policy – frequently asked questions
RFU Gender Participation video

Premiership

Joe Simpson joins the Sharks Family!

Published

2 months ago

July 20, 2022

Huge Rugby

Sale Sharks have signed former England scrum-half Joe Simpson on a short-term contract ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.

The former Wasps and Gloucester man, who has one England cap and was part of his country’s squad for the 2011 World Cup, has put pen to paper on a six-month deal.

Joe made almost 250 appearances for Wasps after graduating from their academy in 2008, before joining Gloucester in 2019.

He had loan spells at both Saracens and Bath Rugby last season, but after being released from his contract at Kingsholm, he has joined up with Alex Sanderson’s squad for pre-season ahead of a busy Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup campaign.

And the Sharks Director of Rugby says that with Raffi Quirke and Will Cliff currently sidelined with injuries, the 34-year-old will be a massive addition to the club on and off the field

Alex said: “We felt that we were short of a bit of experience in the scrum-half position and Joe brings that in abundance. He’s a proven performer who’s played at the very highest level for the past decade and more and we’re sure he will be a brilliant addition to what is a very young squad.

“Everyone who has worked with Joe speaks really highly of him in terms of his leadership off the field so we’re really excited to see what he can do here. Joe’s experience will be invaluable for our young players like Raffi, Gus Warr and Nye Thomas.”

Joe Simpson has been one of the Premiership’s most consistent performers over the past decade.

At international level, he represented England at U19 and U20 level, taking part in the inaugural Junior World Championship in Wales in 2008, as well as playing for the Sevens and Saxons teams.

Joe made his full debut for England during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand when he replaced Ben Youngs during a pool stage clash with Georgia.

Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby