From Ballymore to Baywatch
THE Queensland Reds have landed on the Gold Coast for the annual Reds 2 Regions tour with hopes of spreading rugby union’s gospel beyond the code’s stronghold in Brisbane.
Last year’s tour saw players attend local schools to meet and inspire younger players but 2021 will see the club pilot a slightly different course.
With schools still on holiday the Reds will target their approach to the region’s junior and senior rugby clubs for meet-and-greets across the week.
Part of the players’ mission included a night of mental health awareness training at Gold Coast Eagles rugby club on Wednesday evening.
It was a deeply personal message from Reds prop and Keebra Park alumni Feao Fotuaika, who lost his elder brother Mosese to suicide in 2013.
“It’s a tough subject to talk about but it’s always good to let people know and raise awareness of it (mental health issues),” the 27-year-old said.
“I’ve had a close member of my family go through it.
“It’s good to talk about it rather than hold it in. Hopefully my story could help someone else who is walking in those shoes and dealing with those types of issues.
“I’m hoping it could change them, or do anything to help.”
Flanker Angus Scott-Young said the increasing emphasis on mental health awareness was having a positive effect on the team’s culture. Breaking the stigma of discussing feelings in a hyper-masculine environment is something he hopes to see replicated across the wider rugby community as well.
“Especially in the Reds, rugby guys in general tend to put on a brave face because we’re taught to be macho, tough men who get on the footy field and bash each other up,” Scott-Young said.
“But at the same time we’re human beings.
“We have feelings and we’re sensitive at times too. As men lots of guys have mental health struggles but that’s a part of life, that’s OK –- everyone has them.
“Day-to-day you could be struggling with things but as Feao said, awareness is crucial, but more than awareness you need to look out for your mates.
“It doesn’t have to be much, it can even just be a quiet word.
“You don’t need to tell them exactly what’s going on. and it doesn’t have to be a big
conversation. All someone might need is a little gesture like a tap on the shoulder or a quiet word and a laugh.
“The stuff Feao and I have learned through our times, through our struggle, we wanted to teach the guys at Gold Coast Eagles.”
Rookie Reds lock Ben Grant was more excited than anyone for the chance to meet and inspire a new generation of rugby players.
A decade ago in 2011 Grant met Reds legends Will Genia and Ben Daley at a training clinic at Surfers Paradise rugby club, ahead of the Super Rugby grand final victory over the Crusaders.
That meeting set Grant on the path to playing professional rugby and signing on with his boyhood club to follow in his heroes footsteps.
Grant will be involved when the Reds lead a coaching clinic from 9am-2pm at Griffith University Knights Rugby Club on Thursday for any children aged from 5-11 years.