The Rugby Football League and RL Cares are backing Team Up Week - a fresh drive to use the power of sport to tackle isolation, loneliness and mental health issues among young men and boys.
Running from January 26 to February 1, Team Up is a national week of action led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) dedicated to rallying behind young men and boys, helping to ensure they have the support, connection, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.
RL Cares has been pioneering pilot projects in the League hotbeds of Wigan and the Wakefield district since before Christmas, using the established and successful Offload and Ahead of the Game programmes - the latter in partnership with Movember.
Ahead of the Game has been focused on boys aged 11-18, extending mental health workshops into community youth centres and settings.
Offload has been offered to men aged from 16-24, a six-week course encouraging honest discussion of strengths, support networks, building confidence and aspirations.
Both programmes are delivered in partnership with the Rugby League Foundations linked to clubs in the relevant areas.
Additionally, the RFL are excited to support the #TeamUp week by showcasing the incredible offerings from Rugby League at schools, the Inspiring Futures project and PaCE day programmes that emphasise that sport is more than just a game; it’s a lifeline for community and wellbeing.
Emma Goldsmith, the Director of Community for RL Cares, said:
"Under the leadership of Lisa Nandy, the Government and DCMS are committed to tackling issues around mental health for young men and boys.
"It's an area Rugby League Foundations have been aware of and addressing for some time, with our Offload programme and working with Movember on Ahead of the Game.
"We know life can be tough for young men in an increasingly digital world where it can be hard to find the opportunities to build friendships and feel connected. In the towns and cities where we work, we've found that sport, and specifically Rugby League, is uniquely placed to offer those opportunities."
Interim RFL Chief Executive Officer, Abi Ekoku, said: “Rugby League is acutely aware of the positive impact it can have on the mental and physical health, and sense of purpose, of young men within in a changing society. As a major spectator sport, we are rooted in the communities we serve and The RFL is delighted to support the Team Up campaign, which strongly reflects our core values as an organisation.
"The Team Up goal of creating a sense of belonging and empowering of people through the incredible communities that surround us is a powerful reinforcement of the positive role that Rugby League and sport in general plays in bringing young men together to strengthen wellbeing and tackle isolation."
