GBWR players – including current and former GB athletes – Aaron Phipps, Ollie Mangion, George Rogers, Dave Ross, Imogen Steele, and Kylie Grimes joined players from Premiership Rugby sides Harlequins and Saracens and ex-England footballer Jermaine Jenas to highlight the positive impact sport can have on mental health.
The wheelchair rugby players headed to London’s Aspire National Training Centre, where they taught Jenas and rugby union counterparts, including GBWR ambassador Shaunagh Brown, Bryony Cleall, Lennox Anyanwu, Louis Lynagh (Harlequins), Hugh Tizzard, Kelsey Clifford, and Louise McMillan (Saracens), a thing or two about wheelchair rugby, before taking time out to discuss the relationship between sport and mental health.
The event was supported by Socios.com, the world’s leading fan engagement and rewards platform, as part of its community and social impact initiative Socios.com Supports.
GBWR announced a three-year partnership with Socios.com to support the sport’s continued growth in 2023. Harlequins and Saracens are also on the Socios.com roster, while Jermaine Jenas is a Socios.com Supports Ambassador.
Led by Jermaine, our players revealed how wheelchair rugby has brought multiple benefits, including renewed confidence and less anxiety, while the rugby union players shared their personal stories about the positive relationship between sport and mental health.
Studies show that regular physical activity lowers the risk of depression and dementia for adults by 20 to 30%, while being active is proven to reduce anxiety and stress, combat low mood, and increase self-esteem.
Moreover, disabled people are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive (43%) compared to those without a disability – making conversations like the one held at Aspire even more crucial.
Jason Brisbane, CEO of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing greater awareness to wheelchair rugby, and disability sport more broadly, and highlighting the positive impact sport can have on mental health.
“We’re grateful for the support of Socios.com Supports ambassador, Jermaine Jenas, and Harlequins player and GBWR ambassador, Shaunagh Brown, who are helping to introduce wheelchair rugby to a wider audience.
“We also had the pleasure of working with two of Socios.com Supports’ existing partners in rugby union, Harlequins and Saracens – both of which have their own wheelchair rugby teams – to further strengthen the relationship between the two sports and raise awareness in the rugby family.”
Jermaine Jenas, Socios.com Supports Ambassador, said:
“Wheelchair rugby has gone from strength to strength in Great Britain, with our national team taking gold for the first time at the Tokyo Paralympics. Since then, France have won the European Championship, and are hosts of the Paralympics next year, which means it’s likely to be a fierce face-off between us and them in Paris.
“Having played my first game with the Great Britain wheelchair rugby squad, I cannot wait to see them in action. The game is all about high stakes and heavy hits, which is really entertaining – although I’m a little sore now! I’m proud to be part of this promotional campaign for the sport.”
The event marked one year until the Paralympics and is part of a broader campaign to raise the sport’s profile. GBWR and Socios.com Supports will continue to work together to promote wheelchair rugby – look out for further announcements on GBWR’s social channels.
