FEATHERSTONE ROVERS FOUNDATION
'Opening Minds and Changing Lives'
Ahead of the Game
Featherstone Rovers Foundation have once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting young people in the local community by delivering the Movember Ahead of the Game mental fitness workshops to every KS3 pupil at Featherstone Academy.
Delivered in partnership with Rugby League Cares, Ahead of the Game programme uses the power of sport to help young people build resilience, understand mental fitness, and feel confident supporting their friends. During the engaging sessions, students explored practical strategies for looking after their own wellbeing, recognising when someone might be struggling, and knowing how to reach out for support.
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Led by Featherstone Rovers Foundation staff, the workshops were designed to be interactive, relatable, and accessible, ensuring important messages around mental health were delivered in a way that truly connected with pupils.
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Nicole Donaldson from Featherstone Academy said:
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“Ian and the team have been phenomenal in engaging our students in the vital message of mental health and peer support. They delivered sessions across KS3 in a really accessible and absorbing way, and the simple, straightforward message of ‘help out a mate’ is one that really resonated with our pupils, emphasising the key idea of community support as the first stage of managing mental health challenges that come with day-to-day life.
Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the mix of information and activities have hopefully made a really lasting impact, especially with some of our more vulnerable pupils. Thank you!”
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The sessions focused on breaking down stigma, encouraging open conversations, and reinforcing the importance of teamwork both on and off the field. Through practical activities and real-life scenarios, pupils were reminded that small actions, such as checking in with a friend, can make a big difference.
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Ian Hardman, Head of Featherstone Rovers Foundation, added:
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“We’re incredibly proud to work alongside Rugby League Cares and Featherstone Academy to bring Ahead of the Game to young people in Featherstone. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and if we can equip young people with the confidence to ‘help out a mate’ and speak up when they need support, then we’re building stronger, more resilient communities. Seeing how positively the students engaged with the sessions shows just how important these conversations are.”
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Featherstone Rovers Foundation remains dedicated to using the power of sport to inspire, educate and support the next generation and is looking forward to delivering more AOTG sessions in schools, community clubs, and youth groups in the future.
To find out more or to book a session, please get in touch with the Foundation team via email: ian.hardman@featherstoneorversfoundation.org