Former Leeds Rhinos stars team up with government to tackle male loneliness in Wakefield

Leeds Rhinos legends Keith Senior and Adrian Morley are amongst a group of former players leading pilot programmes in the West Yorkshire town and Wigan, supported by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The rugby league ex-pros will kickstart conversations about male mental health to try and help young men in Wakefield build confidence and resilience.

Mr Senior, now head of wellbeing programmes at RLC, said: “The difference these programmes make is incredible.

“They're delivered by people who are embedded within the villages, towns and cities where the sport is played and who know all about the challenges boys and young men face growing up in these communities.

“Being able to call on our own experiences of tackling issues like loneliness, social isolation and having little sense of belonging as we grew up is invaluable in helping us to relate to, and engage with the people we are reaching out to.”

The pilot programmes were announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy yesterday, with £330,000 of government funding which will help 1,300 boys and young men by March 2026.

Ms Nandy, the Wigan MP, said: “Rugby League has always been more than just a sport in towns like Wigan and Wakefield. It is the heartbeat of these communities.

“By bringing together the legends of the game with the next generation, we are creating spaces where young men can open up, build genuine connections and develop the resilience they need.”

Ossett and Denby Dale MP Jade Botterill told The Yorkshire Post: “Having worked for Wakefield Trinity's community engagement team before I entered politics, I know the critical role that rugby league plays in our area.

“As an MP, I've also seen first-hand the excellent work the club and Rugby League Cares do across the region - particularly around the often overlooked issue of mental health for men and boys.

“I'm pleased that the Government has recognised the leading role the sport, our club, and its players play through this new partnership.”