What is Offload?

Offload is a men’s mental fitness and wellbeing project run by Rugby League Cares.

We deliver in Rugby League communities across the North in partnership with club foundations at Bradford Bulls, Halifax Panthers, Huddersfield Giants, Featherstone Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils, St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors.

We also provide UK-wide support by working  with businesses who are looking to provide the benefits of Offload to their workforce.

Offload is helping challenge how the sporting world tackles issues such as depression and anxiety and has already received widespread acclaim for its work with thousands of men.

It is open to all men aged 16 and over. Men meet and talk with current and former professional players to learn techniques they use to manage their own mental and physical fitness.

Over the course of the 10-week ‘season of fixtures’, men build their own mental fitness, whilst having fun, in a relaxed atmosphere and develop coping strategies to challenge difficult situations and learn how to recognise when people close to them may need their support.

You don’t need to be a Rugby League fan – or even a sports fan! – to take part and benefit from Offload. Even though our presenters are mainly retired or current Rugby League players, they share stories from their personal lives as well as sporting careers to bring real experiences to important topics. They give men genuine real-life examples that they can relate to and learn from.

Offload is supported through funding from various partners in different areas including; the National Lottery Community Fund, Leeds Hospitals Charities, Livewell Wakefield, Public Health England, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, and local suicide prevention networks.