Force prop Pek Cowan shares his story after a season from hell

WESTERN Force stalwart Pek Cowan has spoken of his concern for his teammates’ mental health and lack of support since the club’s Super Rugby axing.

Pek Cowan and Isi Naisarani of the Force during a match against the Kings at nib Stadium.

THE Rugby Union Players Association said support and counselling services continue to be available to Western Force players after veteran prop Pek Cowan ​revealed​ his fears for ​the mental heath ​of his teammates after the club’s axing.

In an emotional column for the PlayersVoice website, Cowan revealed players and their families had been struggling immensely during a turbulent year where the Force were under threat of closure for several months, and then finally shut down by the ARU.

“The stress on families has been ridiculous,” Cowan wrote. “It still feels like a bad dream. Sometimes you think you’ll wake up from it and go, ‘That was terrible, but everything’s OK’. But it’s not. Every day since the Force’s execution was confirmed has been worse than the one before.”

LIVE stream the Rugby Championship on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Cowan said he was upset the ARU had not put in place any structures to help players deal with the uncertainty, and the potential mental health and wellbeing consequences. Cowan - a foundation member of the Force - said despite team developing ad-hoc support networks, they weren’t trained to spot someone who may self-harm.

“There has been no assistance provided to the playing group whatsoever,” Cowan wrote.

“And now that I think about it, I can’t believe the ARU have not come to see us, much less put structures in place to help players in moments of hardship. I mightn’t be able to see the signs of someone who is going to self-harm – it’s not my area of specialty – but I would feel absolutely responsible if they did.

Force prop Pek Cowan is tackled by Rebels lock Luke Jones during a game in Perth.

“I don’t think the ARU realise how massively their decision could impact player wellbeing. Taking care of your mates is what we pride ourselves on the field, but it’s probably one of the things we’re least capable of doing off it because we are not trained in that area. We don’t know the signs of depression, self-harming or worse.”

The ARU responded​, ​ however, ​ ​by saying they’d worked with RUPA to ensure there​ ​w​as​ ​​assistance​, and support​ ​​services, made​​ ​available to players.

RUPA have a full-time Player Development Manager at each franchise, and former Wallaby James Holbeck is currently in Perth. Their PDM role includes engaging with players on the emotional wellbeing of players and the Force players and their families also had the option of a range of counselling services. Some players and their families took up the offer.

“RUPA has and will continue to provide an extensive mix of wellbeing support services to all players in Australia and this year we have naturally placed a greater emphasis on assisting Western Force players,” RUPA boss Ross Xenos said.

“We empathise and understand that this is a highly emotional situation for all players and their families as they have dealt with the unprecedented anxiety that months of uncertainty has caused. Many of them are struggling to comprehend the ARU’s decision and lack of direct visibility during this very challenging time.”

An ARU spokesman said: “The ARU worked closely with RUPA in ensuring a range of support services were available to players and their families, and also made available those same services to the Western Force staff and employees.”

Cowan said it was a testament to the tight bonds ​and quality ​of the Force squad that there’d been no trouble or incidents emerge from what was a hugely stressful season.

“I’m surprised nothing bad has happened with individuals or when the group is together in a social gathering. If you’re not in the right frame of mind and you’re upset and angry, that’s really the perfect storm for bad decisions,” he said.

Originally published as Force prop Pek Cowan shares his story after a season from hell