Sport is in a crisis, and I’m not entirely sure it recognises it. 

Why? Because this crisis has been in existence for years. 

One of the worst-hit sports is rugby. It’s in a mental health crisis, and it’s sadly no surprise. In the wake of the financial disaster the sport has experienced, the emerging ongoing challenges people are faced with around head injuries, busy playing schedules, social media and elite sporting pressures, it’s a tough time to be involved in the game. 

England captain Owen Farrell has bravely taken the decision to step-aside for the time being from playing international rugby, and subsequently choosing to miss the 2024 Six Nations. If the team’s captain is in a position where he has no choice but to do so, how can more not follow? A sentiment shared by Bristol and England prop Kyle Sinckler who believes that more players will follow in Farrell’s footsteps in an attempt to protect their mental health.

But is the state of the game the sole reason for players, past and present, needing to manage their mental health? Absolutely not. 

This abhorrent abuse on social media needs to stop. We need more regulation online. Farrell cited the abuse online as a core factor in his decision, alongside media coverage. Even the treatment towards referees online has forced the likes of Wayne Barnes and fellow colleagues out of the game. It’s not worth the abuse and threats – nothing is. 

Unfortunately, sport is hard, and being a sportsperson is hard. So, more support is needed. And whilst the game is getting there, it’s not where it needs to be. 

We’ve been working with the wonderful Restart, the official charity of the Rugby Players Association, and the work they do is phenomenal in providing mental health support to players, past and present. But they can’t do it alone, more work is needed from the unions and clubs to look after players. And more funding!

More players need to be advocating for mental health, like we have seen with Farrell, Sinckler and the likes of James Haskell and Joe Marler over the years. Mental health need not be taboo anymore in rugby, or sport as a whole. 

In the last couple of years, four teams have vanished from the top two flights of domestic rugby in England. Over 200 players have had their worlds turned upside down with devastating diagnoses of brain injuries as a result of playing the game they love. 

Rugby is in an existential crisis which has been building for over a decade now. Support those trying to help the ones that need it the most. Come on rugby, protect your people.