As our 2019 Academies go live this weekend with the PSA Rugby Academy Tignes starting today, Saturday 6th July, and the PSA Rugby Academy Roscrea kicking off on Sunday 7th July, PSA Academies are delighted to announce our partnership with not-for-profit rugby mental health advocates Noggin Sport.
As an extension of our CSR partnership with the Rugby Players Ireland ‘Tackle Your Feelings’ initiative and our Mental Wellness module developed and delivered by Titan Wellness, the partnership activity with Noggin Sport (www.nogginsport.org) will see PSA Academies coaches wearing Noggin hats during our Irish Academies programmes plus Noggin headwear will be available for purchase at our end-of-camp Academy Shop, with 100% of the proceeds going to the mental health charities that Noggin support across the UK & Ireland.
Noggin Sport was established by brothers Kieran & Conor Joyce, originally from Solihull in the West Midlands, who have played professional rugby at various clubs in the UK and Ireland, including Ulster and Jersey Reds in addition to the Exiles and Ireland at underage level. The aim in setting up and running Noggin was to create a safe space for sportsmen, sportswomen and sports lovers to promote the positive effects of mental illness and mental health awareness. The organisation has enjoyed support from leading players such as Ireland star Jacob Stockdale, as they look to grow their reach and visibility across the wider rugby community.
Speaking about the partnership, Johne Murphy, Head of Rugby & UK/IRE Sales said “Noggin Sport are doing great work at grassroots level to build awareness and funding for critical mental health awareness in rugby and sport generally. We were delighted when Kieran and Conor agreed to join the partners we have for the Academies that work in this really important space. We’re hoping to do our part to build awareness around the organisation and movement during the summer. We’re confident that any funds generated from selling the Noggin Sport headwear in the Academy Shop will go a long way towards helping young, vulnerable sports people to deal with the challenges that sport and life sets us along the way.”
This partnership completes the final preparation for what is set to be a fantastic two months of rugby and personal development for over 500 young players attending our Academies in France, Ireland and the UK. There are still limited places remaining for week 2 (13-20 July) of the PSA Rugby Academy Tignes and the remaining PSA Rugby Academies in Limerick (14-19 July), South England (4-9 August), Kilkenny (11-16 August) and Westmeath (18-23 August), so don’t delay if looking to book your last minute spot.
In the meantime, follow us across our social channels Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to get the breaking news, best images and up-to-date insight on the Academies as they are being delivered.
