Eagles Community Foundation and Mental Health UK have teamed up to offer support and guidance to the Newcastle Eagles Academy players.

Players from the Academy’s age groups teams along with the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) team will take part in a 9-week programme that is designed to support performance athletes.

The mental health awareness delivery is a new strategic element to the off-court commitment to the academy players, led by the Eagles Development Manager Ian MacLeod, which aims to develop all aspects of the individuals involved within the academy.

“A vital part of our player development framework is developing and supporting the social, emotional and psychological aspects”, said MacLeod.

“Players and indeed coaches sometimes concentrate on the technical and tactical growth of the player and we can often forget the growth of the person behind the player.

“I am very proud that we are able to offer this support to our players.”

The course will be delivered by Mental Health UK facilitators Louisa Taylor and Mark McGuigan at the Vertu Motors Arena around the athletes’ regular training times and covers important topics such as exam stress, managing injuries and selection.

“We are really excited to be working with Newcastle Eagles Academy to deliver the Your Resilience programme“, said Leah Setsoafia, Mental Health UK Your Resilience Coordinator.

“Our trainers will be delivering workshops across the next few months that will build their resilience, equipping them with the tools and resources to manage their mental health better now and in the future.

“Newcastle Eagles is our first basketball group, and our trainers Louisa and Mark are excited to be on the journey with them”.