Themed Round

2018: Offload (14-17 June)

This year’s theme supported and raised awareness of the mental health programme Offload, currently being delivered at three Super League clubs.

More than 50,000 people attended the round and there was a TV audience of more than 200,000.

A record number of volunteers assisted, while the Movember ManVan was also present at three games.

– State of Mind feature on RugbyAM
– The Guardian: From drugs and alcohol to wellbeing: how rugby league is tackling mental health
– The Sun on State of Mind presenter and ambassador, former referee Ian Smith

2017: Let It Out (June 8-11)

Massive media coverage for State of Mind’s best ever themed round year, including comprehensive features on TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and club outlets.

More than 250 items of media coverage, including features on Sky Sports and BBC.

More than 45,000 attended the round, with 7,400 cards given out and a TV audience of more than 325,000. Advertising boards dedicated to Let It Out were displayed at three matches.

The new film that launched the 2017 State of Mind Round, was an emotive series of vignettes that portrayed some of the types of loss, and moments in life, that can lead to isolation – unemployment, relationship break-ups and bereavement.

– BBC TV: Rugby league tackles mental health
– BBC Radio 5 Live: State of Mind – It’s Not Just About The Players
– Dr Allan Johnston and co-founder Malcolm Rae on BBC Radio
– State of Mind round announcement on RFL official website

2016: International (7-10 July)

The new international theme tee-shirts were designed by Luke McGeach from Liverpool JMU following a competition.

More than 56,000 fans attended the games, with 8,300 mental fitness cards given out, and 290,000 viewers watched on Sky Sports.

A new film was released, which coincided with a State of Mind day with presenters, ambassadors and volunteers to generate content and interviews for coverage.

2015: What’s theirs? (July 2-5)

This year saw a focus on looking out for your mates, colleagues and family, encouraging people to support someone they know.

Games took place at Warrington and Leeds, live on Sky Sports, as well as Salford, Hull, Castleford and Huddersfield.

A number of players came on board as ambassadors, tweeting messages relating to the What’s Theirs theme.

2014: What’s yours? (August 28-31)

This built on the success of the previous year’s campaign and continued to establish the State of Mind round as a key part of the rugby league calendar.

More national press got involved with the round, both in the build-up and during, while clubs were also very supportive.

A Sky Sports feature presented by Angela Powers and featuring Danny Sculthorpe and Paul Wood won a Mind Media Award.

In 2014, State of Mind also produced a short documentary film to highlight the remarkable story of one of its own inspirational team members. The Jimmy Gittins Story was launched in October 2014 and has been used in education and awareness sessions ever since.

– State of Mind campaign puts Super League business end in perspective (The Guardian)
– I wanted to end it all, says Danny Sculthorpe (Daily Star)
– Rhino launch State of Mind ball

2013: What’s yours? (August 15-18)

The first year of an integrated media and marketing strategy saw unprecedented coverage amongst clubs and the press.

This meant a social media reach of more than 2.5m, as well as several players coming out in the press to tell their story.

BBC ran a live feature on State of Mind outside Headingley during the round.

To launch the 2013 State of Mind Round, a new film was produced featuring a host of Super League players, television pundits and junior players that went viral across social media. The Trojan Horse film was a cinematic nod to the imminent ’take over’ of Round 25, 15-18 August 2013.

– I got so low I nearly quit the game, Eorl Crabtree tells the Daily Mail
– Wolves star Paul Wood fighting back after Priory Hell
– Castleford’s Kirk Dixon: My fight with depression

2012: The State of Mind Family / Joining Jack

In 2012, State of Mind focussed it’s attention on growing the inclusive State of Mind Family across the round of fixtures. A new studio-shot campaign film was launched in the build up to the 2012 State of Mind Round that celebrated the combined strength of the State of Mind Rugby League Family and explored the issues that affect fans and elite Super League players alike.

In the spirit of Family, across the round of fixtures the State of Mind team supported the muscular dystrophy charity, Joining Jack, as they raised awareness and funds around the Super League grounds.

– Watch the video here

2011: Inaugural State of Mind Round

The inaugural State of Mind Round in Super League was held in September 2011, marking a first in UK sport – a dedicated weekend of themed fixtures.

The 2011 State of Mind Round offered the perfect platform to launch the initiative’s brand identity and campaign film, featuring a host of Super League stars.

The lead-up to the Round was also supported by a major fundraising effort by Trustee, Owen Cotterell, who ran a 214-mile stadium run between Wrexham and Hull over 10 days.

– Watch the video here