Exploring stressors in elite rugby league (NRL/NRLW) players
Creators: name: Humphreys, Courtney
name: Goddard, Scott G.
name: Poulus, Dylan
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Biotechnology
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Science Policy
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: Elite athletes in the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia experience mental health challenges at rates higher than the general population. Stress plays a crucial role in triggering symptoms of mental health, yet knowledge gaps remain about the stressors these athletes face. Additionally, sports psychology research shows a gender disparity, with females being underrepresented. This study aimed to understand stressors experienced by NRL (male) and NRLW (women) players. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 elite players (<i>M</i> age = 27.92, <i>SD</i> = 3.90) contracted across eight clubs in the NRL (<i>n</i> = 7, male) and NRLW (<i>n</i> = 5, female). Data were analyzed using directed content analysis, revealing three primary stressor categories: organizational, competitive and personal. Under-explored themes were identified, such as coach turnover and recurring losses. A significant contribution of this study is the identification of the interconnected nature of stressors, with organizational stressors amplifying competitive and personal stressors, leading to a lack of psychological safety. The analytic process elucidates how cultural background shapes experiences with themes like coaching style and how coaching style and teammates can influence themes such as off-field incidents. The theme ingrained culture of toughness also interacts with themes such as social media discrimination. NRLW players highlighted additional unique themes, including a lack of credibility and navigating gender dynamics within a male-dominated sport. The findings underscore the need for further research into the organizational environment to understand and foster culturally appropriate psychological safety and provide tailored support for NRL and NRLW players. Elite rugby league players face higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population, and stress significantly influences symptom development. This study identified interconnected stressors in the NRL and NRLW, where organizational factors amplify competitive and personal challenges. NRLW players face unique challenges like limited resources and gender dynamics. Tertiary education should equip practitioners to promote psychological safety across all levels of a sporting organization. Practitioners must develop skills to intervene beyond the individual level to within broader organizational structures, ensuring a holistic approach that addresses the real-world impact of policies, communication and culture on athlete well-being and safety.Providing on-site access to confidential psychological support for all players, regardless of contract status, is critical. Practitioners should emphasize one-on-one care tailored to cultural preferences, adopting a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of stressors such as coaching style, personal sacrifices, social media, and an ingrained culture of toughness.To support NRLW players’ growth and well-being, organizations must address substandard facilities, provide adequate resources, and offer practical support for competing demands. Promoting inclusion, respect, and equality through cultural audits and holistic player development can bridge the credibility gap and foster a more supportive environment. Tertiary education should equip practitioners to promote psychological safety across all levels of a sporting organization. Practitioners must develop skills to intervene beyond the individual level to within broader organizational structures, ensuring a holistic approach that addresses the real-world impact of policies, communication and culture on athlete well-being and safety. Providing on-site access to confidential psychological support for all players, regardless of contract status, is critical. Practitioners should emphasize one-on-one care tailored to cultural preferences, adopting a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of stressors such as coaching style, personal sacrifices, social media, and an ingrained culture of toughness. To support NRLW players’ growth and well-being, organizations must address substandard facilities, provide adequate resources, and offer practical support for competing demands. Promoting inclusion, respect, and equality through cultural audits and holistic player development can bridge the credibility gap and foster a more supportive environment.