Movember & New Zealand Rugby Launch Ahead Of The Game To Build Mental Fitness & Resilience In Young Players Via Sport

Movember, in partnership with New Zealand Rugby, has launched Ahead of the Game – a proven, evidence-based programme that harnesses the power of sport to improve mental fitness and wellbeing among rangatahi.

Supported by an initial $1 million investment from Movember, the programme will reach young people aged 12 to 18, along with the parents, coaches and volunteers who support them, aiming to build resilience, increase mental health literacy and reduce stigma around seeking help.

“Young people are facing more pressures than ever – and boys in particular often struggle in silence,” said Tom Mulvaney, psychologist and Movember Director of Young Men’s Health Australasia.

“This programme gives young players the language and confidence to open up and support each other – and shows them that their community has their back. Young men have some of the worst rates of severe mental health – and this programme looks to get ahead of that, building coping skills and changing the game at a critical age.”

This initiative was launched on Friday at St Peter’s College in Auckland, alongside Blues and All Blacks player Harry Plummer and representatives from both Movember and NZ Rugby.

After a successful pilot reaching over 100 teenage rugby players across six schools, the programme will now be scaled nationally through NZ Rugby’s Mental Health initiative Mind Set Engage. The 2025 rollout will begin in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Hawke’s Bay, with plans to expand to all regions over the coming years.

“The programme has been proven to boost mental health literacy, help-seeking intentions, and the confidence to support others – which is particularly beneficial for young people,” said Dr Nathan Price, New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing. “Providing young players with the tools to support their own wellbeing and feel more comfortable asking for help is a great way we can support our rugby community.”

Movember has invested nearly $1 million to bring Ahead of the Game to life in New Zealand over the next three years, building on its success in Australia, the UK and Ireland. This launch lays the foundation for long-term community impact, with a strong focus on supporting young people’s mental fitness and resilience.

Movember is seeking to grow a network of partners who share a commitment to youth mental health to expand the programme’s reach. Movember is already working with delivery partners including Youthline, Attitude NZ, Challenge 2000 and Wowbeing, with the programme positioned to scale sustainably and drive change at both a local and national level.

“We’re proud to be delivering this world-class programme to young Kiwis — and we’re actively seeking partners to help scale its reach and long-term impact,” said Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember. “This is just the beginning of what we hope will become a game-changing movement for young men’s mental health.”

“Rugby is more than a game – it’s a community, and that community has a responsibility to look after its people. This partnership with Movember reflects our deep commitment to the wellbeing of our rangatahi. By giving young players the tools to navigate life’s challenges and look out for each other, we’re helping to build stronger teams and stronger futures,” said Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby.

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