22/06/2025
👢Sport shapes people.
But it shouldn’t be the only thing that DEFINES them.
This simple photo means more than it looks…
Aside from not being able to believe it’s already been 9yrs since I last played sport competitively, this is
First pair of footy boots I’ve bought in almost 10 years.
First time I’ve laced them up at all in nearly 6.
First step towards RECONNECTING with the game that’s been such a huge part of my life.
For me, it’s a reminder…
➡️ The athlete IDENTITY doesn’t disappear overnight.
➡️ Injuries, transitions, and life changes TEST that identity.
➡️ Staying connected to sport on your OWN TERM matters - whether it’s social, competitive, coaching, or simply being involved.
As clubs, schools, academies and performance programs — we’ve got a responsibility.
To create environments where:
✔ Athletes know WHO they ‘are’ - outside of their sport and WHAT they ‘do’.
✔ But also feel supported to STAY connected when life takes them off the field.
✔ Their identity is STRENGTHENED — not stripped away — through challenges and transitions.
That means actually allocating and devoting ‘truly’ PROACTIVE human-first wellbeing practices and time in the club’s and their schedules!
It’s good for them. It’s good for culture. It’s good for long-term success.
Let’s keep building sporting environments that develop whole people - not just players.
Wellbeing | Rites Of Passage | ‘Whole’istic Mental Health
