The innovative “Rugby Training for Mental Health Program” is a mental health learning program for children and adolescents with or suspected of having ADHD. It utilizes a structured and uniquely designed play-based learning methodology to integrate mental health into sport and transfers the conventional classroom training to on-pitch training for mental health education.

The program consists of seven 1.5-hr sessions for a class of 20 participants. It is a new learning model integrating rugby sport and mental wellness education, with content prioritizing early prevention with focus on providing the children with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to navigate uncertainty in their lives. It is aimed to enhance the participants’ self-resilience by promoting positive thinking and improving their interpersonal relationships and skills on emotional regulation and problem solving etc. Rugby coaches will receive special training to deliver the specially designed mental health program.

The last session is a joint training session including competition-based exercises with the local club to maximize the opportunity for the participants to interact with current rugby players with the same age, encourage peer support, continue playing rugby and further develop their life skills for sustainability as well as to enhance teamwork and further develop resilience.