The sheer depth of knowledge, experience and commitment of the professional clubs’ player wellbeing managers was highlighted when Rugby League Cares hosted their latest quarterly get-together at UCEN Manchester.
The charity works closely with the player welfare managers (PWMs) on a daily basis and the meeting provided an opportunity to update them on wellbeing policies and receive presentations on a wide range of subjects.
Ryan Millington, Head of Schools Higher Technical and Professional Industries at UCEN Manchester, led a thought-provoking discussion around active listening in which the PWMs examined the best ways to engage when talking about sensitive issues with the playing community.
Steve Hardisty, Head of Curriculums and Work Programmes at RL Cares, detailed the benefits of encouraging athletes to be more self-aware and the importance of uncovering personal values and character strengths.
Throughout both presentations, the PWMs shared examples of their own interactions with players and outlined strategies that had worked for them.
Steve also touched upon the important role personal values play when it came to players considering what transferable skills they take into the workplace when they transition out of the sport at the end of their playing careers.
Transition was a key theme of a presentation by Colonel Andy Black, a strategic communications manager for the British Army who outlined the many career options in the Army for rugby league players of all ages who were looking at their next career move.
Col Black revealed that the Army has more than 50 career streams, including apprenticeships and vocational qualifications, that players could consider: many of these would be available to players leaving the sport after playing Academy-level rugby league but the Army also has opportunities for more senior players.
“There is a great alignment between the Army and sport, particularly rugby league which has a natural fit,” said Col Black, who spelled out six important qualities that players have in abundance: discipline, courage, integrity, respect, loyalty and selfless commitment.
The Army is planning to develop a rugby league centre of excellence at its Catterick Garrison base in North Yorkshire, which would give recruits the opportunity to combine playing with a military career.
RL Cares Player Ambassador and Wellbeing Manager Adrian Morley provided an update on interest expressed by players in a proposed new Players' Association, and the charity’s Director of Wellbeing Steve McCormack revealed the new eligibility criteria and application process for players to access career and education dual career support from 2026 onwards.
The programme encourages players to combine their sporting careers with periods of study to gain the academic or vocational qualifications they need to thrive throughout their working lives.