Meet our Mind Set Engage Ambassadors

Mind Set Engage has launched our ambassadors programme for 2024/25 with an aim to encourage New Zealand’s rugby community to engage in the topic of mental health and wellbeing. 

All Blacks Will Jordan and Anton Lienert-Brown, Black Ferns Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Katelyn Vahaakolo have been selected as ambassadors alongside Blues player Harry Plummer and professional New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe. 

Learn more about them here

All with unique and authentic stories on mental health and wellbeing the six ambassadors will support Mind Set Engage in different ways including workshop delivery support and social media content. 

Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing Nathan Price said the ambassadors were chosen based on their commitment to mental health education, awareness and advocacy in the rugby community.  

“Our ambassadors will help us make mental health information more accessible to our wider rugby communities by providing key messages about how people can look after their wellbeing and how to support others. 

“Their work also helps get the word out that there is a specific rugby-related mental health programme that this available to access no matter where they are in the country,” Price said. 

Price said having recognisable rugby ambassadors speak to the kaupapa helps reduce the stigma of mental health.

“Having our role models share their journeys, vulnerabilities and lived experiences publicly shows our rugby whānau that it’s okay to not be okay. It also highlights that mental-ill-health or poor wellbeing doesn’t discriminate, it can impact all of us at some stage of our lives no matter our backgrounds or occupation.”