Tigers Tackle Loneliness with MP Roundtable

Yesterday, we were proud to host a round table at Wheldon Road alongside Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Loneliness and Social Connection, and Jake Richards MP, Minister for Youth Justice, to discuss the challenges facing men and boys around mental health, isolation and vulnerability and the role sport can play in the solution.

This follows our work in Wakefield through the Pro Clubs Partnership, our DCMS pilot delivered with Movember and Rugby League Cares, and the growing evidence that rugby league foundations are uniquely placed to reach men and boys who often don’t engage elsewhere. The pilot tested new ways of supporting young boys and young men with their mental health through the Ahead of the Game and Offload programmes.

Ahead of the Game is normally delivered in sports clubs or schools, but this pilot explored delivery in youth settings and alternative provision centres across Wakefield, reaching boys who often sit outside mainstream environments. The Offload pilot focused on NEET young men, providing a trusted, rugby?league?led space to build confidence, routine and emotional resilience.

This innovative work in Wakefield and Wigan (where Wigan Warriors Foundation were the delivery partner) created the foundation for the round table discussion, bringing national leaders together to explore challenges and solutions around men’s and boys’ mental health.

We are hoping this discussion keeps the work at the fore front in Government and they roll the programme out as a National programme.

We spoke about how the environment of rugby league creates safety, familiarity and belonging, a place where men and boys feel able to show up, connect and talk. Role models matter too: former players sharing their own struggles helps people think, “there’s someone else like me.”

One young man in our Castleford pilot, who hadn’t engaged in education for three years, is now sitting around the dinner table again, talking about his day and planning for the future. He’s preparing to complete his Maths and English through StreetLeague so he can move on to college. That’s the power of connection, routine and being genuinely cared for.

Thank you to Chris Rostron for chairing the discussion, and to all partners committed to improving outcomes for men and boys across our communities. Rugby league continues to show what’s possible when sport, care and purpose come together.