https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/former-cowboys-says-nrl-return-date-a-boost-for-player-wellbeing/news-story/741035a86776364cbb67012cf52befb8 A RETURN date of May 28 may be seen as an optimistic idea for the NRL, but Ashton Sims believes some symbol of certainty will work wonders for the players’ wellbeing. The former Cowboys prop dealt with all the highs and lows throughout a 16 year playing career, and knew goal setting was crucial to keeping him on track. From speaking with his brothers, St. George-Illawarra Dragons duo Tariq and Korbin, the 35-year-old has already noted the change in persona a resumption date has had on the competition’s player-base. But he said the way this isolating period away from the game was handled would differ for each individual. The way to get through it was doing everything in their power to be the best version of themselves. “I think it’s different strokes for different folks. There are kids going through their first pre-season getting ready for the biggest year of their life to now not being able to play for a few months,” Sims said.
“That will derail a few people, but it doesn’t matter who you are rugby league teaches you resilience. “When that carpet has been ripped from underneath you or life has punched you in the face it’s time to refocus … (and) having something to work towards will only benefit them.” One thing Sims ensured he had when the curtain was drawn on his playing career was a team environment. The North Queensland cult hero’s work as a mental health consultant for the Mental Health Movement has put him alongside fellow NRL veterans Dan Hunt and Chris Houston, and the trio have continued to adapt to the COVID-19 situation to bring their movement to the public. From his injury experiences he appreciates that being stripped of the team environment athletes so often crave could be a confronting experience. But while the end of the pandemic has no date, Sims said it was important for all players — professionals and grassroots — to remember rugby league would inevitably return. “I’ve had three months out before and it can play a big toll on your mental health,” he said. “You’ve gone from laughing and joking around with your teammates to one isolated incident where you get injured and you’re not out there anymore. “Sometimes you can feel a little bit taken away from the team, but what you’re doing there is you’re strengthening your own resolve. “This has never been seen before, the circumstances we’re going through now, but the way we can look at it and combat it is being proactive in this reactive situation.”
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AuthorThis section showcases a collection of some of the work I did covering the North Queensland Cowboys - from match reports, to player features to breaking news. Archives
June 2020
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