Meet our Brand Ambassadors
Jack Willis
Toulouse & England
“Proud to be involved with the guys at Brave Mind. I’m fully behind the team on their mission of ‘taking action to start the conversations’. Let’s make talking about and supporting one another with mental health in the rugby community, the norm.”
Marlie Packer
Saracens & England
“Really looking forward to working with Brave Mind and help tackle the stigma about mental health. Also hoping to help others with my own story or with just a smile because we really never know what people are
going through.”
Gemma Rowland
Wasps, Wales & British Army
"I am extremely honoured to be able to become part of the Brave Mind Family, as the work they are doing to tackle the stigma of mental health is a matter close to my heart. Rugby has always been a safe space for me, and I am looking forward to working with Brave Mind to continue the work they are doing to ensure rugby remains a safe space for others to talk openly about mental health, and feel both encouraged and supported in doing so".
Tom Willis
Bordeaux & England
“I’m massively excited to get involved with the Brave Mind team and to help promote the importance of speaking out about mental health and to remove the stigma around it. Brave Mind is a great support network for people playing at all levels of rugby and they are having a huge impact on people’s lives.”
Donna Rose
Saracens & Wales
“I’m honoured to be a part of this charity. Having been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), it’s something I live with every day and is a constant personal battle. I want the sport of rugby and the world to open up because it’s okay to speak about it. It’s not a negative, it’s a huge positive to talk and let people know how you are feeling, even if it’s a small matter or something you feel might sound silly in your head. Sharing will help, I promise!”.
Lagi Tuima
Harlequins & England
“Good things start from somewhere and I know Brave Mind will be just that for many of us. I’m excited to get stuck in and involved with promoting positive mental health in both our chosen sport and our normal day to day lives. For many years there’s always been a negative stigma with mental health in rugby. The nature of our game obviously requires high physical demands but with the support network of Brave Mind; our shared purpose we all have in common is to heighten the mental demands of the game too. A problem shared is a problem halved.”
Graeme Morrison
Glasgow Warriors & Scotland
“Having spoken with Si about his vision of a sport that openly embraces mental health in order to help players share, support one another and to heal, I am proud to be on board with Brave Mind.
With such stark statistics surrounding mental health in rugby, now more than ever do we need to turn words into actions and make opening up about mental health and really supporting anyone struggling with their mental health as normal as treating any physical injuries. I am looking forward to working with Brave Mind through raising awareness and sharing my experiences in order to drive the necessary changes in the rugby community and beyond, and to let players see that it really is ok not to be ok.”
Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt
Gloucester-Hartpury & England
“Mental health is another skill in itself, with the added pressures of day-to-day life, never before has it been more important to speak up and not suffer in silence.
I’m super excited to be onboard with Brave Mind and be a small part in the fantastic mission they have set out to achieve. They are continuing to open the doors to conversations that are so important to have, and I am delighted to be part of the team and promote positive discussions in any way I can. Everyone has ups and downs in every walk of life, it’s ok to feel those and speak up whenever you need to.”
Morgan MacRae
Wales 7s
“Incredibly honoured and excited to be joining the Brave Mind team. Their aim of actually providing an action plan for clubs & academies is the most exciting for me. The focus on action to end the stigma of mental health in rugby is one that is so relevant and important today. Allowing people to understand that you are not alone. So, don’t suffer in silence and speak up!”
Charlotte Wellbelove
Harlequins Women
“Really excited to become a part of the Brave Mind team to help promote the importance of mental health and encourage people to speak up. Rugby is an intense, physical game and a livelihood for so many people. Sometimes we are so fixated on the physical aspects, we disregard the mental side to the game. It’s great to see that we as a rugby community, are slowing breaking down the barriers of being open to mental health help; something which Brave Mind is extremely passionate to keep pushing for.”
Ricky Khan
Coach - Oxford Uni Women, London Scottish
Assistant Coach - Jamaica 7s
British Army Rugby League
England Counties South West U18
Berkshire- Head Coach
“I’m so very proud to be an ambassador for Brave Mind. Having coached for 20 years, across all levels of the game, I have seen first hand how important it is to have mental strength and resilience, and when that is tested how hard it can be to get back on our feet. Our sport has a tremendous sense of community, being one big family, and we need to use this to support each other in whatever way we can. Never has this been more relevant than in these toughest of times. This community has the power to carry us through these tough times and beyond. Brave Mind, tackling mental health in Rugby.”
Dyneal Fessal
Jamaica 7s
“Such an incredible privilege to be a part of the Brave Mind team. Not only are they seeking to raise awareness surrounding mental health in rugby, but they are looking to educate people on the different mental processes they may experience whilst being in that environment. I cannot wait to be able to work with Brave Mind to continue bringing about a positive change to the rugby community.”
Alex Powell
Exeter Chiefs, Wasps & England
“Just like physical health, mental health affects us all and I am hugely excited to be part of the Brave Mind team. Promoting positive mental health is something I am extremely passionate about both on and off the pitch. Alongside the vision of Brave Mind, I am looking forward to helping put mental health at the heart of rugby clubs and schools.
The mission of Brave Mind is to make talking about and supporting one another with mental health in rugby the norm. Let’s keep breaking down the barriers and create a safe environment for people to be honest and support each. Because together we can.”
Duncan Bell
Bath & England
“Mental health is a subject close to my heart, having struggled during my professional career and with the brutal transition into civvy street. I am hugely proud to be involved with Brave Mind and look forward to helping to remove the stigma of mental health illnesses. If I can do that with sharing my life experiences and still be involved with rugby,
then all the better!”
Leah Lyons
Sale & Ireland
“I’m very proud to join the team at Brave Mind as an ambassador. To promote the importance of mental health and to encourage everyone to speak up and listen. This is very close to my heart.
There are a lot of challenges in life and rugby, in which we deal with in our daily lives on and off the pitch. To be able to support and take action for those who need it is vital. Let's start a conversation, raise awareness to share positive mental health and strive to rid the stigma with
coming together.”