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Health and wellbeing

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HEALTH and WELLBEING RESOURCE PAGE

 

Includes awareness of accessing professional mental health support, healthy eating, sleep hygiene, mental wellbeing, social and prescription drugs, gambling, alcohol and gaming.

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RL Cares and Dementia UK to offer specialist dementia support

RL Cares and Dementia UK to offer specialist dementia support

Steve McCormack


Rugby League Cares has launched a dedicated dementia specialist Admiral Nurse service in collaboration with Dementia UK, for current and retired ...

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Athlete Wellbeing | Melbourne Storm

Athlete Wellbeing | Melbourne Storm

Francis Stephenson


This blog post and podcast, originally published by the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists (PAADS), delves into the success ...

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Paul Anderson | Player welfare and the talent pathway

Paul Anderson | Player welfare and the talent pathway

Steve Hardisty


Former Great Britain, Bradford Bulls and St Helens prop Paul Anderson is forging a successful career guiding the international stars of tomorrow in ...

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Concerns over tramadol misuse after WADA ban

Concerns over tramadol misuse after WADA ban

Steve McCormack


All current and recently retired players are reminded that the painkiller tramadol has been included the 2024 WADA List of Prohibited Substances and ...

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Hope for Alzheimer's breakthrough: BBC Panorama special report

Hope for Alzheimer's breakthrough: BBC Panorama special report

Fergus Walsh


Alzheimer's patients could lose out on two groundbreaking new drugs because the NHS is unprepared, a leading charity has told BBC Panorama.

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Edinburgh dementia research: second visit

Edinburgh dementia research: second visit

Francis Stephenson


In the heart of Edinburgh, I returned to the University for the next chapter in a vital study about the brains of sports warriors. This time, the MRI ...

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RL Cares statement: rule changes for 2024

RL Cares statement: rule changes for 2024

Chris Rostron


Rugby League Cares welcomes the RFL board’s decision to accept the changes to the way in which the sport is played that were put forward by the ...

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Groundbreaking dementia research

Groundbreaking dementia research

Francis Stephenson


In the world of rugby, where strength, strategy, and camaraderie define the game, there's a growing concern about the potential long-term impact on ...

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John Atkinson: Living and dying with Alzheimer's

John Atkinson: Living and dying with Alzheimer's

John Ledger


Living with, and caring for, someone with Alzheimer's disease is a tough, emotional rollercoaster ride.

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Dementia UK - supporting sufferers and their families

Dementia UK - supporting sufferers and their families

Steve McCormack


Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells ...

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The transition to part-time rugby

The transition to part-time rugby

Francis Stephenson


As the final whistle blows on a full-time rugby career, a new chapter begins. Transitioning from the rigours of professional rugby to a dual-career ...

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Supporting England Wheelchair

Supporting England Wheelchair

Francis Stephenson


Rugby League Cares continued its support for the England wheelchair team during the 2023 autumn international against France when the charity's ...

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Managing retired players

Managing retired players

James Graham


Former England and St Helens captain James Graham tackles some of the biggest issues in the sport in his Rugby League Round Table podcast.

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Transition with appreciation

Transition with appreciation

Francis Stephenson


Discover the transformative power of gratitude in the world of transitioning athletes. This article explores the myriad benefits of practising ...

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2023 Transition:  information for players

2023 Transition:  information for players

Francis Stephenson


Important information for all retiring professional and semi-professional players.

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Management of former players

Management of former players

James Graham


James Graham introduces a special episode of the 'Rugby League Round Table' podcast, where he delves into a critical topic – the management of former ...

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Navigating transition: supporting your player's journey

Navigating transition: supporting your player's journey

Francis Stephenson


Behind every player's transition out of the world of professional rugby league, there stands a team of friends, families, and partners, who play an ...

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Supporting the England Community Lions

Supporting the England Community Lions

Steve McCormack


As well as providing welfare support to the England men, women and wheelchair teams, Rugby League Cares also support players involved in the England ...

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Do You Trust Yourself?

Do You Trust Yourself?

Sam Laird


Maybe not a subject many people think about, but it’s one I am conscious of and may link to why I am so disciplined with my routine and staying ...

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Athlete 365 | Mental health toolkit

Athlete 365 | Mental health toolkit

Francis Stephenson


The IOC initiative, Athlete365, has recently launched a dedicated mental health wellbeing portal, created specifically for the benefit of athletes ...

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Navigating body composition changes in transition

Navigating body composition changes in transition

Francis Stephenson


In the transition from elite athleticism to a new chapter in life, athletes often encounter significant changes in their body composition, and this ...

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The relationship triangle

The relationship triangle

Sam Laird


Former Royal Marine Commando and RL Cares community officer Sam Laird shares a tool he used to understand his relationship with alcohol and implement ...

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Brain Health Fund

Brain Health Fund

John Ledger


The Rugby League Cares Brain Health Fund has been established to allow the implementation of a far-reaching education and support programme for both ...

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Coping with competitive pressure

Coping with competitive pressure

Francis Stephenson


In the realm of professional sports, the pursuit of excellence is a relentless journey filled with exhilarating highs and crushing lows. The ...

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RL Cares at NRL player welfare conference 2023

RL Cares at NRL player welfare conference 2023

John Ledger


Rugby League Cares has issued a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Australia’s National Rugby League for the warm welcome given to the charity’s Director of ...

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Returning to rugby post pregnancy

Returning to rugby post pregnancy

John Ledger


Knowing when it is safe to return to playing again after having a baby can be difficult for women rugby league players. In this interview with Sky ...

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Ikigai: a reason for being

Ikigai: a reason for being

Steve Hardisty


Having clear meaning and purpose in our life has many positive effects for our overall wellbeing.

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Upskilling the counsellors

Upskilling the counsellors

John Ledger


Rugby League Cares has partnered with UCEN Manchester to deliver an athlete-focused counselling course that is upskilling the charity’s staff and the ...

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The effects of alcohol on brain and body

The effects of alcohol on brain and body

Steve Hardisty


Alcohol is very much a cultural norm and widely accepted in society: it is present at a wide range of celebrations and social/recreational gatherings.

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Mindfulness for psychological wellbeing

Mindfulness for psychological wellbeing

Steve Hardisty


Mindfulness is a skill that is simple to use, however it can’t necessarily be classed as an easy skill to apply, especially in the beginning.

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Micky Higham calls on players to shed tough exterior after cancer scare

Micky Higham calls on players to shed tough exterior after cancer scare

Gary Carter


MICKY Higham picked up plenty of battle scars during a 20-year rugby league career but one stands out more than most.

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Why Adrian Morley is fundraising for RL Cares

Why Adrian Morley is fundraising for RL Cares

John Ledger


In April 2023, rugby league legend Adrian Morley and his fellow director at Manchester-based recruitment specialists Impact Resourcing, Neil Farrow ...

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'Mr Speaker' praises RL Cares player welfare delivery

'Mr Speaker' praises RL Cares player welfare delivery

John Ledger


The President of the Rugby Football League, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has revealed that the work of Rugby League Cares has inspired him to put in place a ...

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'Struggles leaving South Sydney:' George Burgess

'Struggles leaving South Sydney:' George Burgess

George Burgess


A fascinating chat between James and George opens up on his career, the injury toll on the body of a footy player and how he coped, and touches onto ...

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Concussion round table

Concussion round table

John Ledger


The issues around head injuries are discussed frankly in this insightful vlog featuring five players who have first-hand experience of concussion.

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Welfare managers undertake CPD training

Welfare managers undertake CPD training

John Ledger


Rugby League Cares has reaffirmed its commitment to providing world class levels of support to the sport’s playing community by running a two-day ...

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The impact of head trauma and concussion

The impact of head trauma and concussion

James Graham


Across all codes of contact sport there’s a new focus on the long-term impacts of head trauma after a series of high profile incidents.

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"I'm fighting a battle" - Stevie Ward and concussion

Francis Stephenson


Stevie Ward has been battling persistent post-concussion symptoms since suffering two head injuries early in 2020. In this Sky Sports documentary, ...

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Matty Russell on alcohol and gambling

Matty Russell on alcohol and gambling

Matty Russell


Scotland international Matty Russell chats about the uncertainties of professional sport on this Love Rugby League podcast.

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The science of gratitude

The science of gratitude

Steve McCormack


This informative video looks at the science of gratitude, which studies have shown can have a significant impact on mental and physical health.

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Toolkit for sleep

Toolkit for sleep

Steve Hardisty


This podcast from Huberman Lab provides a host of information on what makes us sleepy, sleep soundly, and feel awake and alert.

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Kallum Watkins | The struggles behind success

Kallum Watkins | The struggles behind success

Kallum Watkins


England centre Kallum Watkins shares an open and honest account of the struggles that lie behind his success....

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Mike Cooper | Dealing with pressure

Mike Cooper | Dealing with pressure

Mike Cooper


England forward Mike Cooper discusses some of the biggest mental challenges an elite sportsperson will face, and his thoughts on managing tough ...

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Josh Jones | My mental health

Josh Jones | My mental health

Josh Jones


Huddersfield Giants second row Josh Jones has been a big supporter of Offload, the mental fitness programme from RL Cares, since its launch in 2017.

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Josh Dugan's struggle with painkillers

Josh Dugan's struggle with painkillers

Francis Stephenson


In an incredibly candid interview, former Kangaroos full-back Josh Dugan talks about his personal demons, coping with stress and anxiety, and how he ...

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The impact of social media

The impact of social media

Francis Stephenson


Rugby union players Chris Ashton, Ugo Monye and Danny Care discuss their experiences with social media abuse and how to deal with online trolls.

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Rangi Chase: My return to Rugby League

Rangi Chase: My return to Rugby League

Francis Stephenson


Former England stand-off and Man of Steel Rangi Chase spoke to Alex Simmons ahead of his return to Rugby League after two years away.

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Shaun Lunt: 'I was a monster'

Shaun Lunt: 'I was a monster'

Francis Stephenson


BBC rugby league correspondent Dave Woods is joined by former Super League star Shaun Lunt in a special episode 5 Live Podcast to talk about the ...

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Kenny Edwards: My battles with alcohol

Kenny Edwards: My battles with alcohol

Francis Stephenson


In this frank interview with Fraser Dainton from Sky Sports, Castleford Tigers player Kenny Edwards opens up about his lifelong battles with alcohol ...

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GamCare and GamStop

GamCare and GamStop

Steve McCormack


GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone negatively affected by gambling.

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Jamie Jones-Buchanan: Gratitude

Jamie Jones-Buchanan: Gratitude

Jamie Jones-Buchanan


As part of RL Cares's 'Gratitude' campaign, former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain second row Jamie Jones-Buchanan writes a very special letter to the ...

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James Simpson: Gratitude

James Simpson: Gratitude

James Simpson


England Wheelchair Rugby League player and World Cup winner James Simpson, who lost both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan at the age of 23, ...

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Emily Rudge: Gratitude

Emily Rudge: Gratitude

Emily Rudge


England Women's captain Emily Rudge writes a special letter to her parents expressing her gratitude for the important part they have played in her ...

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Young athletes and mental toughness

Young athletes and mental toughness

Lee Jewitt


Former Super League player Lee Jewitt talks about what it meant for him to be mentally tough as a young elite athlete.

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Mental health in rugby league

Mental health in rugby league

Alex Mills


Tony Adams MBE & Lee Jewitt discuss the changing culture and awareness of mental health within sport.

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Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence

Robbie Hunter-Paul


Often referred to as EQ, emotional intelligence is a key weapon in the toolkit of the modern athlete. Bob Dylan sang ‘Times are a changing’ and in ...

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Coping and managing mental health

Coping and managing mental health

Robbie Hunter-Paul


As with most things in life, prevention will always be preferable to the cure. As athletes, you’ll spent countless hours weekly working out in the ...

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The what, why and how of mindfulness

The what, why and how of mindfulness

Robbie Hunter-Paul


Let's slow down! Modern life has us rushing about preoccupied and worried about what has happened in our past, what might happen in our futures and ...

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Anger management

Anger management

Robbie Hunter-Paul


When playing a high-collision sport like rugby league, the ability to react instinctively to an aggressive attack with a counter-aggressive action is ...

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Five ways to mental wellbeing: live strong

Five ways to mental wellbeing: live strong

Robbie Hunter-Paul


Mental wellbeing and resilience issues are becoming more prevalent in our working and playing lives. Healthcare providers Bupa say the number of ...

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