The Rugby League United Podcast

In this weeks episode of the Rugby League United Podcast, George spends a fascinating 45 minutes in the company of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund General Manager Steve Ball, who believes seriously injured players and the families the charity supports have felt lockdown more than anybody else in the entire country. Throughout the interview, Steve discusses his own involvement and the selfless nature and gentle approach to trauma support that has seen him added to the RFL's Roll of Honour, as well as a variety of cases which highlight the true spirit of the Rugby League Family, including Rugby League's response to the Cumbria shootings, which claimed the life of player Garry Purdham – the response to which Steve feels is his proudest moment,the support given to Lizzie Jones following the tragic death of husband Danny, the heroic work done by Steve Prescott, and the recent devastating setbacks dealt to Masoe and Rob Burrow.The discussion is the latest episode of the Rugby League United podcast series from independent charity Rugby League Cares.

This week on the RL United podcast George is joined by is former England head coach and current Catalan Dragons head coach Steve McNamara, who gives a fascinating insight into some of the highs and lows of his careers, including how he trusted senior players to eradicate club versus country tribalism in the England camp, the tears and regret of that heart-breaking defeat by New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup semi-final, and discusses for the first time his own pain and anger at losing his job as England head coach - and discovering his successor while watching TV with his family. He also speaks about why believes he may have the most challenging job in world Rugby League with Catalan Dragons, and has spoken of the unflinching trust in his players that has come to shape his coaching philosophy and why he offered a chance to controversial signing Israel Folau amidst wide-spread condemnation and pressure to do the opposite. The compelling, frank and honest discussion is the latest episode of the Rugby League United podcast series from independent charity Rugby League Cares.

The Rugby League United Podcast is back this week, and this week, George spends an hour in the company of former Super League, NRL and Fiji star Ashton Sims to chat all things mental fitness and reflect on the highs and lows of his career, both on and off the pitch. Sims, who represented Fiji at three world cups, enjoyed a successful NRL career with St George, Brisbane and North Queensland, before moving to the Super League for successful stints with Warrington Wolves and Toronto. He is now back in Australia working for Mental Health Movement, where he draws on an extraordinary wealth of experience to encourage people to open up about their feelings. Ashton and George share their own emotional experiences of having to reach out and ask for help, the importance of learning lessons in recovery, and the vital role of physical health in mental wellbeing. The fascinating discussion is the sixth episode of the Rugby League United Podcast series from independent charity Rugby League Cares.

In the fifth episode of the Rugby League United mental fitness podcast, George spends a fascinating hour in the company of Wigan and Great Britain legend Denis Betts, who discuss how the power of sport saved his life after a troubled childhood on the streets of Salford. The 1995 Man of Steel, who won every domestic honour with Wigan during the club's extraordinary era of dominance in the late-80s and early 90s, chats about how the culture at Central Park shaped him not only as a player but also as a man. Betts, who captained England in the 1995 World Cup final, gives a raw insight into the unforgiving macho nature of sport which forced mental health and fitness completely off the radar and discusses all things from trust, cultivating friendships, living in the moment and the importance of giving. The series is produced by the independent charity Rugby League Cares and is available to watch every Thursday and to download as a podcast from Spotify, Apple and all major providers. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss another episode!

The Rugby League Cares RL United podcast is back for episode 4 and this week, George chats to Sydney Roosters and England winger Ryan Hall. In the episode Ryan discusses his struggles with injury since he completed his dream move to Sydney, how he has stayed resilient throughout his time with Roosters, the reasons he decided it was the right time to move on from his successful career with Leeds and how he doesn't let any perceptions of him affect his personality.

In this weeks RL Cares Rugby League United Podcast, host George Riley speaks to Wakefield and England star Reece Lyne about some of the highs and lows from his career, both on and off the pitch, and the effect these have had on his mental fitness. In the episode, Lyne gives a fascinating insight into how and why he started playing rugby league at a young age, the macho mentality that existed in some of his early career days, and why he spends some of his spare time mentoring young adults which saw him with the RFL Presidents Award in 2019, presented to him by former Arsenal and England legend Tony Adams. Don't forget to subscribe to the Rugby League United podcast so new episodes land in your podcast feed as soon as they are released!

The Rugby League United podcast is back this week for episode 2, and what better way to celebrate this years mental health awareness week, than with one of the all-time greats of Super League. This week George is joined by Leeds Rhinos and Hull Kingston Rovers legend Danny McGuire, who gives a fascinating insight into some of the highs and lows of his careers, including how the Rhinos built their golden generation, why he took the decision to move to Hull KR and the resilience that his former teammates Rob Burrow and Mose Masoe are showing as they both fight their own battles after life changing events.

What better way to launch the brand new RL Cares Rugby League United Podcast than with a true giant of the game. In this episode we hear from former Huddersfield Giants and England star Eorl Crabtree, speaking to George Riley about all things mental fitness, including the highs and lows of his career, the coping mechanisms he used to stay mentally fit both during and after his playing career, and how he has dealt with both public and personal perceptions of him.