“WHEN I have children, I want them to grow up in a world where their achievements and dreams aren’t limited by the social limits put on them”.
These were the words of the Bristolian centre as she explained the reason she got behind the #icare campaign on social media.
The campaign was started by Reed’s club mate Stef Evans after abusive comments were directed towards women’s rugby players, and sports women in general on social media. People involved in sport from across the globe have reiterated the message. From people involved in the women’s game to the men’s game and sportspeople from the world beyond the message is the same.
This message was perfectly summed up by Reed who said: “Everyone should have an equal opportunity to be the person they want to be or achieve the things they want to achieve”.
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Reed is also an ambassador for ‘Looseheadz’, a rugby clothing brand raising awareness for mental health.
“It’s something that I really want to promote, there’s still lots I need to learn in terms of the mental health side of things but if I can share my story and help one other person open up then that’s why I’m doing it”.
The England centre recalls the time in 2018, stuck on 49 England caps when she was told she may never be able to play rugby again. A recurring back injury had left Reed out of action for a couple of weeks. She believed she was returning to full fitness when her specialist gave her the advice to contemplate giving up the sport she loves.
“I was feeling in a good place, went for a scan and when I sat down the specialist said I should consider not doing any contact sport anymore.
I remember going out to the car and I just sat there and I cried, which you’re never too old to do by the way!”
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Reed made her return to the international set up in the historic England v Barbarians game in June 2019, a game in which she had originally been supposed to line up against England.
“I was selected for the ‘Baa-baas’ against England but, I got the call in the week leading up to it from Simon Middleton saying I was playing for England and not the ‘Baa-Baas’ so it was a very different lead up to the game.”
After overcoming her injury setback which could have seen her career ended at 29, Reed won her 50th cap in England’s 2019 ‘Summer Series’ game against the USA.
“It was really special because my Mum had flown out to watch me which was awesome”.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup winner praised the work that Bristol and rugby in general are doing to support those with mental health struggles.
“There’s still a long way to go but in terms of support for mental wellbeing it seems like a more open environment. You see a lot of current players come out and talk about their struggles which shows the environment is a lot more accepting and there’s less of that stigma”.
“We have our own ‘Ripples’ programme which was set up in memory of former Bristol player, Jen Lander. It’s a counselling service set up for free and it’s completely confidential and I know a lot of players have accessed that and found it very beneficial”.
“As well as that our physio and S&C department run a wellness survey which covers mental wellness as well as physical”.
“Wellbeing is massive on the agenda at Bristol Bears women, and I’m personally really thankful of that and it creates the environment where you know you’re really going to be looked after” she added.
Reed is also a qualified PE teacher and works with the Bristol Sport Foundations ‘The Eagle Project’ which aims to help young girls get into sport.
“Being able to go to a festival at the end of the year and seeing girls that didn’t play the sport a couple of months before, running around and having fun is great and the reason why I wanted to get involved with the project”.
On the news yesterday that World Rugby have advised the 2021 Rugby World Cup to be pushed back a year, Reed admitted she was ‘pretty gutted’ and that there would be ‘mixed reactions’.
“For the players who were aiming to retire after the world cup, another year is a long time… on the flip side you have some younger players or injured players who can work themselves into contention and also the 7s players who will get a full year to prepare after the Olympics”.
“Ultimately the safety of players, supporters etc come before everything else” she concluded.
Reed is currently sidelined after a foot operation but hopes to return for the Six Nations next month.