It’s a new year and a fresh start for Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Offload programme, which is set to return in 2022 with businesses and community groups across Leeds signing up to host courses.
Offload is a critically acclaimed men’s mental wellbeing project created by Rugby League Cares which allows men to engage with current and former rugby league players to learn the techniques they have used to manage their mental and physical fitness, as well as their own experiences with overcoming adversity on and off the field.
Over the course of the 10-week ‘fixtures’, men build up their own mental fitness, whilst having fun, in a relaxed atmosphere and develop coping strategies to challenge difficult situations and learn how to recognise when people close to them may need their support.
So far, Leeds Rhinos Foundation have supported over 250 men across various community rugby league clubs and organisations since the charity joined the Offload family 12 months ago, delivering courses at Emerald Headingley Stadium, East Leeds ARLFC, Morley Knights and New Wortley Community Centre to name a few. It’s had life changing effects, with some participants revealing that attending the Offload course helped to completely transform their mental wellbeing and open up about issues they have previously found difficult to express.
The programme is overseen by our Project Coordinator Sam Horner, who is excited to see the new direction Offload will take in 2022 by taking the delivery of into different settings that transcend the typical rugby league domain.
“We’re thrilled to be kicking off our Offload programmes in 2022, working with some fantastic partners and organisations throughout the city who will really benefit from providing these fantastic mental fitness sessions for their teams,” said Sam.
“I think there’s a huge need for mental health support during this Winter season, which is always a bit of a lull for people with going back to work, the weather being worse, the financial strain of Christmas and now all the speculation at the moment around Omicron and further lockdowns.
“It’s great to be working with the West Yorkshire Fire Service in Leeds, starting with courses at the Cookridge, Moortown and Hunslet stations and giving something back to the services who do such a fantastic job in our community.
“We’re also excited to be teaming up with Zest and Canal Connections, a men’s group down based down at the Royal Armouries who will be combining their Offload sessions with a canal ride which will be a fantastic way to unwind and relax the mind. Then we will be also working with our long-time partners JB Andrews and Leeds Beckett University where we’ll be running an Offload programme through their Sports School, providing a much-needed space for their students and staff to gain expert advice with looking after their mental wellbeing.
“It’s a kind of new era for our Offload delivery, and even though there’s still a connection with sport in there it’s great to be going out into the wider community to offer it to all men throughout Leeds. Offload has a fantastic ability to not just change lives, but to save lives as well. I’m sure all the men who sign up to Offload with us will enjoy it and see real benefits of taking part.”
To sign up for free Offload fixtures with Leeds Rhinos Foundation, please email sam.horner@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
For more information about Offload, please CLICK HERE.
