A rugby icon is coming to the island later this month, and it’s all for a cause credited with “saving lives”.

LooseHeadz, which runs mental health workshops for adult players, is returning to Jersey with Welsh Rugby legend, Ken Owen (‘The Sheriff’) for a charity dinner on 21 May.

Last year’s dinner raised over £65,000 towards LooseHeadz’s work, with one of its ambassadors, former Jersey Reds player Guy Thomspon, saying it had already “changed and saved lives”.

“Really honoured”

The special guest in attendance, Mr Owen, has captained both his club and country, earning over 80 international caps and playing a key role in multiple championship winning campaigns.

The former player who says he is “really looking forward to being in Jersey” said that he is “really honoured” to support a charity that “brings the rugby community together”, which is “what rugby is about”.

Having previously spoken about the mental strain of recovering from injuries and loss of identity following retirement from the professional game, he added that it helps “raise awareness of hidden struggles”.

Kevin Boscher, head of sponsors Titan Wealth, which recently extended its sponsorship of LooseHeadz nationally, said the evening was a ‘must’ for anyone interested in rugby.

“Extremely thought-provoking”

“Last year’s event was extremely thought-provoking and brought home the importance of rugby clubs, from grassroots through to professionals, talking about mental health, knowing how to recognise the signs and providing the support needed,” he explained.

“LooseHeadz is already working with more than 1,300 clubs across 36 different countries and so Titan Wealth is delighted to be continuing our support and benefiting those in Jersey.”

Heather Lewis, head of delivery for Loose Head, said the charity has been “fine tuning” its adult workshop”, while travelling across the UK, “delivering to students and men’s and women’s teams from Newbury to Yorkshire, Jersey and Dorset”.

“We’ve loved meeting players, chairpeople, coaches, medics, welfare leads, our Mental Health Champions, physios and we could go on,” she said.

“Along the way, we’ve laughed, played games, had honest conversations, celebrated brilliant work already happening in clubs, and helped teams gain practical tools to check in on their members and provide appropriate support.”

DON’T MISS…

If you’re interested in attending the event later this month, tickets are available here.