Photo: COPA90
Prince Williamis using soccer to highlight the importance of mental health.
The prince, 40, sat down with two England soccer internationals to talk about how they cope with mental challenges both on and off the pitch, ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this month.
Soccer fan William also revealed that, for him, sport teaches you a crucial lesson about coping with the downside of defeat – which then translates into other areas of life.
“Handling some of those really disappointing England results in the past, that was hard, I found that really difficult, because again the same euphoria that we had comes crashing down,” added William. “You feel high and all together, and then normal life just gets on again.”
COPA90
Rice tells the prince of the aftermath of that game: “There was a special moment after that game [the Euros final], the togetherness when we all come in a huddle after we’d lost that, and Gareth (England manager, Gareth Southgate) said some really important words. As a group, I think that brought us forward together because then we had to qualify for a World Cup in the next round of games.”
“We really overcame that setback of losing that final, showed our togetherness and our strength and I feel that we are in a really good place as a national team that we can keep pushing and getting better because the togetherness we’ve built is really special to be a part of,” Rice added.
England captain Kane, who has just launched his own foundation, added, “Talking here about different stuff — highs and lows that we’ve been through as players. That’s my aim is to, especially to the younger generation, talk to them and try and provide ways of talking about mental health and wellbeing.”
“The more we talk about it, and open up, it will definitely help solve and hopefully encourage people not to be afraid to ask for help, especially when you are feeling a little bit lower,” he added.
Soccer can be an effective way to spread the word about the importance of mental health.William previously led a campaign– called Heads Up – that culminated in the 2020 FA Cup Final at London’s Wembley Stadium, that encouraged players from the grassroots to the professional game to discuss their mental health.
“It’s important to have people who catch us a little bit when we’re down,” Williamsaid in the discussionwith the England stars as he highlightedShout, a 24-hour texting service for people to air their issues, which he and wifeKate Middletonsupport. “It is there to carry people through those darker moments,” added William.
The prince and the players talked on the soccer-basedCOPA90discussion show Game of 5’s which highlights stories that showcase the very best of soccer fan culture from every corner of the globe.
The show launched in 2022 with episodes distributed across TikTok and Instagram, driving over 20m views to date, before launching on Snapchat and YouTube this November.
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty
William used the occasion to talk about the friendships he has gained in sports through being “pushed together in slight adversity.”
“I’ve definitely got loads of friends whose relationship started off in a team, fighting for each other and wanting to do the best for the school, for each other and the team,” said William.
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William also talked about his first experience of football at school, which involved multiple balls and dozens of players. “It was carnage, chaos,” said the prince. “I just thought it was really fun. That led me on to wanting to play more football. The sheer size and scale and just the fun of everyone running around chasing each other.”
He added with a laugh that despite his enthusiasm he was given the role of a defender “stuck at the back and told to tackle and ‘don’t put him near the front.'”
“I played more football than I watched when I was younger,” added William. “The playing was much more important. I have switched now because I’m getting older.”
source: people.com
