State of Mind rugby union officially launched last Saturday at a scorching Blackheath Rugby Union Club’s base at Eltham South East London
Phil Cooper joined State of Mind’s rugby union founder Mick Finnegan and Andy Titterrell (former British Lion, Sale, Gloucester, Leeds, Edinburgh and this season London Welsh hooker) and the sevens tournament saw 34 teams take to the fields of Eltham. Mick (left0 and Andy (right) at the tournament
The British and Irish Lions happened to win the series against Australia during the day and a positive mood was everywhere to be seen throughout the day
State of Mind rugby union have close working relationships with the School of Hard Knocks rugby union team where Mick first came to prominence within rugby union and now appears in TV adverts for Saracens Rugby Union
It was intriguing talking to Andy throughout the day about the pressures facing professional rugby union players and they are no different to those of rugby league players including injuries, contracts and the family pressures that go alongside playing professionally.
A recent survey with League 13 (Super League Players Association) published in the British Journal of Mental Health Nursing highlighted family and playing pressure, money matters and stress and anxiety as the major issues facing full-time rugby league players.
State of Mind Rugby Union want to begin to deliver education sessions at local amateur rugby union clubs to replicate the work being carried out in the North West and Yorkshire in rugby league.
The Find Rugby Sevens team with Mick and Andy below
State of Mind Rugby Union have received a fantastic prize from London Welsh in the form of a signed London Welsh shirt and 2 tickets to a game. The winner of the prize will be the 1000th follower on twitter @SOMRugbyUnion so why don’t you give them a follow?