Northampton Saints is proud to support PREM Rugby with the launch of a powerful new mental health campaign, Bravery Starts Here, with official charity partner Mental Health UK.
Kicking off during Gallagher PREM Round 3 (which runs from 10 to 12 October, with Saints facing local rivals Leicester Tigers on Saturday 11 October), and coinciding with World Mental Health Day on Friday 10 October, the season-long campaign will harness the strength and solidarity of the rugby community to redefine what it means to be brave.
At its heart, Bravery Starts Here will use rugby as a tool to equip fans, players, coaches, and staff with the support, connections and skills they need to be their brave, bold and determined selves on and off the pitch.
Whether it’s playing 80 minutes of high-impact rugby in front of thousands, or simply getting out of bed during a tough period, Bravery Starts Here champions every act of courage, no matter how big or small, whoever you are in rugby.
Together, PREM Rugby and Mental Health UK are determined to tackle the drivers of poor mental health and help remove the barriers stopping people from living life to their full potential.
“Our partnership with Mental Health UK demonstrates our commitment to using rugby as a force for good beyond the pitch,” said Laylla Stanley, Strategic Lead – Social Impact and D&I at PREM Rugby.
“The sport is perfectly placed to be used as a tool to help people be their brave and bold selves. Bravery isn’t just in the tackles and tries – it’s in the everyday choices we make to support ourselves and each other.”
A community like no other
The campaign launches during Derby Weekend, where our local rivalry with Leicester Tigers will take centre stage – but even in the most heated contests, the rugby community knows how to stand united. In rugby, we are rivals for 80 minutes and teammates for life.
“We encourage everyone in the Northampton Saints community to look out for one another, and to make use of the tools and resources available through the Bravery Starts Here campaign,” said Sara Young, Chief Operating Officer at Northampton Saints.
“Rugby is a fierce and physical game – our supporters see that bravery on the pitch every week. But off the pitch, we all face challenges that require a different kind of courage.
“This campaign is about recognising that being brave with your mental health is just as important. Whether it’s reaching out for help yourself, offering support to a friend, or simply getting out of bed, it’s about knowing that you’re not alone in taking that step.”
Spectators will sit side-by-side with a fan of the opposing team, even in a local derby, and still bond over a shared love of the game. That’s the unique power of rugby – fierce competition met with deep camaraderie. In the face of mental health challenges, the rugby community can become a lifeline – a place of connection, strength and unwavering support.
PREM Rugby and Mental Health UK commissioned a piece of research with YouGov to spotlight the perceptions rugby fans have of mental health and wellbeing. The research shows that nearly 30% of rugby fans feel confident supporting others with their mental health – compared to just 25% of UK adults*. The culture of rugby, built on being brave, bold, determined and welcoming, makes it the ideal environment to break down stigma and have the conversations that matter.
Spotlight on support
As PREM Rugby clubs and foundations, we are proud to play a role in supporting people through difficult times.
At Northampton Saints and Northampton Saints Foundation, mental wellbeing is a key part of the Club’s culture, supporting players, staff, and the wider community through a range of targeted initiatives.
Support for Players and Staff
- Players and Rugby Staff:
- Access to qualified mental health practitioners and counselling services.
- Confidential sessions with Mental Health First Aiders.
- Workshops on resilience, stress management, emotional regulation, and transition support (e.g. injury or retirement).
- Regular peer-led wellbeing check-ins.
- Mental wellbeing integrated into training and rehab programmes.
- Saints Foundation and Club Workforce:
- Access to Counselling
- Trained Mental Health First Aiders in place
- Dedicated Club Wellness Team focused on representing the workforce and looking at ways to support
- Dedicated Foundation Wellbeing Lead
Support for the Community and Supporters
- Matchday Wellbeing Activations – Campaign stands and “It’s OK to Talk” messaging.
- Memory Café – Weekly sessions supporting older adults with loneliness or cognitive decline.
- CHAMPS Programme – 12-week course combining mental and physical wellbeing education.
- Maddy’s Mark and Teammates – Helping young people with anxiety, isolation, or school avoidance.
- Partnership Work – Collaborations with schools, health services, and local charities.
- Workshops – Covering topics like exam stress, sleep hygiene, work-life balance, and trauma-informed practice.
Raising Awareness and Education
- All delivery staff trained in mental health awareness and trauma-informed practice.
- Youth workshops on recognising signs of stress and asking for help.
- Regular supervision and specialist staff training.
- Campaigns across social media and matchdays to normalise mental health conversations.
- Peer support models encouraging a “look after yourself and others” mindset.
- Online mental health training for all staff.
Case Study Spotlight
A 15-year-old struggling with Emotion-Based School Avoidance was supported through 1:1 and group sessions at Northampton Saints Foundation. They rebuilt confidence, returned to full-time education, and joined a rugby club – saying it was “the first place I felt safe enough to talk.”
On matchdays, the Foundation also hosts Teammates activities like stadium tours and “Tea and Talk” sessions – safe spaces for young people to share challenges and access support.
Join Us
Across Derby Weekend, every fixture in Round 3 of the Gallagher PREM will spotlight mental health, with clubs and communities coming together in solidarity.
At Northampton Saints you can expect the following as part of your matchday experience:
- Bucket collections and the sale of pin badges to raise funds for MHUK
- Inclusion Hub stand – come and talk to us, take away some resources to help with mental health e.g. conversation starters
- Mascot selfie station in the fan village with Bernie the mascot and a famous Saints face, in return for an optional donation to MHUK for a photo
As a Club we stand together with PREM Rugby and Mental Health UK to encourage conversations and support better mental health.
Together, we’ll provide you with the tools, resources and connections needed to support everyone in our rugby family.
Join us on a shared mission: to be there for each other, to start a brave conversation, and to show that Bravery Starts Here.
Read more about the Bravery Starts Here campaign and access tools and support: www.mentalhealth-uk.org/prem-rugby/
*YouGov Plc online survey July 2025. Sample size 2,046 UK adults. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
