Ospreys rugby player quits game at 24 to protect mental health
British Broadcasting CorporationA former rugby player says he will not return to the professional game to protect his mental health.
Harry Morgan, 24, Ospreys, Announced to retire from competition in 2023 After trying to take his own life.
He lost his grandparents in a short period of time, and the stress of the professional sports environment made things worse.
The Welsh Rugby Football Union said there could be turmoil in the transition and withdrawal from matches and their focus is on looking at how to support players through these matches.
Morgan is a former Wales Under-20 player who also played for hometown club Bridgend, but his short career was hampered by injuries.
Rugby used to be an outlet, but he said the injuries and stress of the sport exacerbated the grief he experienced.
“There are a lot of negative factors (in terms of mental health) that go into rugby and the impact it has,” he told us BBC Wales Live.
“Especially injuries and stress in professional settings.
“I definitely don’t feel like there’s a lot of support in rugby for this injury group.
“I feel like I have nothing to say because I let my teammates down, my coaches down, and at the end of the day, I still need to get a contract.”
This feeling of loneliness only increased after his grandparents passed away within a short period of time.
“It started out like some kind of anxiety,” he added.
“My heart was racing and my breathing was short.”
He said he became unable to cope and considered taking his own life, saying: “I didn’t really feel anything, I just felt empty.”
Morgan said he had received huge support from the Swansea-based Ospreys since opening.
“I can’t blame the club, they are fantastic,” he said. “They gave me the time and space I needed and the opportunity to go back if I wanted to.”
But he’s clear that he doesn’t see himself returning to the professional game, adding: “Now people ask me, ‘Do you want to go back to rugby?’
“I’ve had opportunities to come back but I’ve turned them down every time. I’d rather be happy than have all these benefits of being a professional rugby player.”
He now manages a gym and works as a fitness trainer and would like to see more support provided for players.
“It gives space for these conversations, for powerful people in rugby to say ‘You’re struggling, what can we do to help you?’
“It’s culture and understanding the individual and their needs.”
Another former Ospreys player, Lloyd Ashley, has been appointed as head of mental health and wellbeing by the trade body wales rugby players association.
“Overall, as a society, we need to make it easier to police each other,” he said.
Ashley hopes the lessons learned from rugby will trickle down to other sports and society at large.
“The fact is, when someone says to us, ‘How are you?’, we don’t automatically say, ‘Very well, you?’,” he said.
“I hope this permeates everyone’s lives because it’s so important to have spaces where we feel safe enough to be honest.”
International Dan Lydiate believes things have improved since making his debut for Wales in 2009.
“I think we talk more about mental health,” the 36-year-old Grand Slam winner said. “There’s more awareness of what’s going on in people’s lives, and that’s a positive move.”
After his father died two years ago, he said rugby was his lifeline.
“The only normal thing for me is to get back to rugby and play next week,” he added.
“I miss him now.” When I jumped in the car, the first thing I did was pick up the phone and call him on the way back.
“My whole career, up until two years ago, that’s what we did every day.”
He understands why players struggle.
“In rugby, people see the highs but not the lows,” he said.
“They don’t see when you’re beaten black and blue, lying in a hospital bed struggling to put on your pants because of broken bones and stuff like that.
”It’s not all smiles. It’s a tough profession, both physically and mentally. “
Wales international and Dragons team-mate Shane Lewis-Hughes, 27, believes conversations around mental health should be happening every day.
“I think as a man, especially in a sporting environment, sometimes you bury your problems and you think they’ll go away, but they don’t,” he said.
World Rugby said in a statement: “It is always difficult for us to hear about the issues that individuals within the rugby family are experiencing and while our hearts go out to those who are struggling or have struggled in this area, We also greatly appreciate and encourage the players who have bravely spoken out on this topic.”
It added that clinical psychologist Dr Dale Thomas worked with both national teams and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association.
“With over 300 member clubs and regions, Welsh rugby is a widespread and positive force in the field across the country and our clubs are hubs and gathering places for all involved to share issues and help each other,” it added road.
The statement said the WRU was “extremely proud” of its proactive approach through community games, promoting the importance of all participants looking after themselves physically and mentally.
If you have been affected by the issues in this story, you can contact BBC Action Hotline.
