Tiegan Ruddy on WNL Flag your feelings well-being programme: 'It’s okay to be feeling down if you are having a stressful time'

Simon O’Gorman reports from FAI HQ

‘Flag your feelings’ is the slogan behind the Women’s National League mental well-being programme that launched at FAI HQ in Abbotstown on Thursday morning. 

In a game that brings many different types of pressures to bear on the people involved, the sentiment was heartfelt by those present.

Players Tiegan Ruddy of Peamount United, Laurie Ryan of Athlone Town and Katie Burdis of Bohemians were on hand to add their voices to a campaign which aims to keep all those involved in the WNL safe from the consequences of depression and mental heath issues generally.

Graham Kelly, the manager of DLR Waves, was also there to lend his support to the event, alongside one of Ireland’s top match officials Michelle O’Neill.

Developed and run in partnership with the FAI and the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, the new initiative will train individuals at WNL clubs to identify and deal with mental health issues at their clubs.

Asked about the importance of the initiative, Tiegan Ruddy spoke about the stresses that can build up in football environments.

“I think just it’s important to make everyone aware that it’s okay to be feeling down if you are having a stressful time,” said Ruddy.

“Playing football, training, people have work commitments, you might get overwhelmed and it’s nice to know that there are supports there”.

A football club can be a tough place to be if things aren’t going to plan, something Ruddy acknowledged.

“If results aren’t going your way, or you’re injured or you’re not playing too well, there’s always that sense of negativity that can creep into your brain,” said the 22-year-old defender.

And with Irish international footballer Clare Shine’s book coming out next week, Ruddy believes it is timely to not just be speaking about the pressures football can bring, but to be part of doing something concrete about it.

“You see the likes of Claire Shine bringing out her book and I think that’s a big step, especially in the women’s game, to see that people have been through stuff and can come out the other side of it, and still be strong and still play football at a high level.”

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