Pair fan-tastic
Duo on a mission to raise awareness
The Leeds Rhinos skipper has become a leading campaigner after suffering his own depression problems over the years.
And Ward admits he jumped at the chance to form an SAS working partnership with threetime Paralympian Steadman.
Ward, 26, said: “We have both competed in some of the toughest competitions and achieved great heights in our fields. But we both believe our strength in mind is our greatest fuel, powering us through adversity.”
The pair have designed a T-shirt (right) that went on sale yesterday to coincide with the start of Men’s Health Week.
Ward said: “We talked about what we could do and came up with this T-shirt with all the profits going to Youngminds.”
Steadman, born without her lower right arm, said: “There is never a perfect mindset but a positive, confident, optimistic mindset will get you far.”
The 2018 Strictly Come Dancing star overcame huge challenges to be crowned joint SAS champion with DJ Locksmith.
Steadman revealed during the gruelling Channel 4 show her mental health campaign plans to fellow finalist Helen Skelton, wife of Rhinos halfback Richie Myler.
Ward said: “Helen linked us up because we are doing similar things – me with Mantality and Lauren with her mental health 1
■ 2 mission Sizu. It’s been really exciting doing this with Lauren.
“It would be so rewarding if we can get a strength-in-mind message out there.”
Ward set up online Mantality mental health magazine in 2016 after sinking into depression when injury ruled him out of Leeds’ Treble the year before.
He has been forced to draw on his own reserves of mental strength again since suffering a head injury in early February.
Ward still doesn’t know when he will be passed fit, saying: “It has been just over four months, which is a long time. But I am 3 7 4 5
■ getting better at reading where I am. I’m trying not to get stressed by missing out on training.
“Hopefully I can get back not too long after the team return to training, but I’ll need to be cleared by the specialist first.”
■ THE
Strength in
Mind T-shirt, in aid of Youngminds, can be ordered from mantalityapparel. com and sizu-minds. myshopify.com 6
WEST INDIES assistant coach Roddy Estwick feels Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson will be as dangerous as ever – even without the Barmy Army.
The Windies are in England ahead of a three-test series.
The first Test begins in Southampton on July 8 before two more take place at Old Trafford, starting on July 16 and July 24.
Estwick said: “We can’t nullify the crowd because it’s not there. The 12th man isn’t going to be there (for England) but I don’t think experienced bowlers like Broad and Anderson will be too fazed by the crowd not being there.
“It’s your profession and you deal with what is in front of you. You have to represent your country with pride.
“We’ve got no complaints with the way things have gone so far.”