Rugby chaplain tackling mental health

When Ammanford Rugby Club asked its chaplain Marcus Thomas to help improve mental health support for players, he leapt at the opportunity. He told Chris Rolfe about his work supporting both club and community.

“For a number of years, I have suffered in silence. Grieving the loss of my grandparents and consecutive rugby injuries are the main contributors to my mental health, causing stress and anxiety.

“On 5 February, I reached the lowest point of my life and regrettably, I took the decision to try to end it with an overdose.”

This was the brave and starkly honest social media post written by former Ospreys rugby scrum-half Harri Morgan in April 2023 as he announced a temporary step-down from the game. When he decided to make the move permanent last November, he cited protecting his mental health as his reason.

Harri’s story is one of many that reveal the major issues around mental health and suicide in the world of Welsh rugby.

It’s stories like these that are motivating retired Elim pastor Marcus Thomas to take action in his club and community. Marcus and his wife Pat moved to Ammanford, South Wales, in October 2021 and now attend Bont Elim.

Their move reignited Marcus’ passion for rugby.

He became chaplain of Ammanford Rugby Club in September 2022, then joined its new walking rugby team in 2023.

Relationships built during matches, chaplaincy and being a registered Welsh Rugby Union player have helped him gain trust and acceptance, he says.

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