The Netball Players Association has announced a new partnership with Sporting Chance to support the mental health and wellbeing of its members.
The partnership between the NPA and Sporting Chance means players will have access to Sporting Chance’s network of therapists via referral from the NPA’s welfare team. The therapist network, comprising of individuals based across the UK who have specialised in the field of athlete mental health for many years, will be available to take on NPA referrals immediately. They can support players dealing with a wide range of emotional wellbeing and mental health issues, from persistent low mood and anxiety to those struggling with circumstances unique to the landscape of professional sport.
“As a small player association we are excited to be able to offer our members access to the extensive services that Sporting Chance can provide to support them at every stage of their netball career” said Liz Bloor MD of the NPA. “The NPA mission is to support members to thrive on and off the court and their mental and emotional well being is such an important part of this. Many of our members are juggling playing netball at elite or international level with other work or study commitments so the pressures they face are significant and adding the expertise of Sporting Chance to or current welfare provision is game changing for us”.
“We are delighted to be working with the NPA in supporting their players at what we believe is a crucial time for the mental health agenda in professional sport, and a particularly important time for female sport” said Colin Bland, CEO of Sporting Chance. “The focus in sport has often been exclusively on physical health and conditioning, but as professional athletes are understanding more and more, emotional wellbeing and good mental health are vital components in getting the best out of individuals – not only improving performance but just as importantly, putting athletes at the centre of a culture in which their safety is prioritised and their needs as human beings are respected and valued.” About the Netball Players Association The NPA was founded just over four years ago to provide a unified and organised voice for netball players in the UK. The NPA represents the players and is an important contributor to the development of the elite game. By providing support in all areas of the players off court life we ensure that they are best placed to perform to their maximum ability on the court. About Sporting Chance Sporting Chance was founded by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams MBE who, as a recovering alcoholic, saw the need for a safe, dedicated environment where male and female athletes could receive support and counselling for the kinds of destructive behaviour patterns that exist in the world of competitive sport.
Since its creation in the year 2000, Sporting Chance has developed into one of the world’s most innovative centres for the treatment of emotional and behavioural problems among current and former professional sportspeople. The charity operates a 24-hour helpline, a network of over 200 trained therapists across the UK, and a residential treatment centre located in Hampshire - the only one of its kind built specifically to treat current and former professional and elite-level athletes suffering with an addictive disorder.
Today, the charity works with a number of stakeholders across the professional sporting landscape in the UK and beyond including the PFA, the Premier League, the FA and the LFE (in Football), the PCA (Cricket), both the PJA and the Injured Jockeys Fund (Horse Racing) as well player unions representing the sports of Tennis, Snooker, Darts and Squash.
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