Sbu Nkosi & Mental Health in Professional Rugby
On behalf of our members, staff and board, MyPlayers would like to express its considerable relief that Springboks and Bulls winger Sbu Nkosi has been found and that he is physically unscathed. We also want to express our gratitude to the Blue Bulls Company for their efforts to find and reach out to the player, and especially to Bulls CEO, Edgar Rathbone, for involving us as early as he did.
As in other industries and occupations, mental-health challenges are also prevalent in the professional rugby industry, and supporting athletes in this regard goes beyond just preparing them mentally to deliver strong performances on the rugby pitch. Professional athletes are people, first.
The concerns for Sbu’s safety during the past three weeks were a reminder of this. However much we wish he did not have to go through this experience, the industry – from players to employers, to representative organisations – should embrace this as an opportunity to do introspection, learn, grow, and elevate the importance of mental health support in our environment. By working together more closely, we can provide better proactive support to athletes in need of mental care.
As the Players’ Organisation, we are providing all the necessary support to Sbu and the Bulls during this time. Out of respect for Sbu’s privacy, we will not disclose the nature of our support, but we are grateful to be in a position to be there for him and his employer as we embark on this journey together.
At this time, MyPlayers will not provide any further comment on the matter.
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