Bristol Students Launch “Headstrong” Project to Improve Rugby Injury Recovery
By Sports Correspondent
A new student-led initiative called Headstrong is aiming to change how professional rugby clubs support players through injury, by placing greater focus on mental and emotional recovery alongside physical rehabilitation.
The project has been developed by University of Bristol students Anna Leppard, Jenna de Vera and Sam Chevin as part of their dissertation work.
It examines how current rehabilitation practices in professional rugby address players’ psychological wellbeing, and how they could be improved to support more holistic recovery.
Jenna, who studies Film and Television with Innovation and plays elite rugby for Bristol Bears and the Wales Women’s team—making her senior international debut in February—has experienced a long-term setback herself after an ACL injury that kept her out of the sport for 14 months.
Good News Post
While still at an early stage, the team is exploring how Headstrong could be introduced in a professional environment and hopes to present the concept to Bristol Bears to assess its practical use.
They also believe the approach could eventually extend beyond rugby to other team sports, and potentially individual disciplines.
Anna said: “The vision is for Headstrong to become a flexible protocol or consultancy-style initiative that can be embedded directly into existing rugby club structures.
“While traditional rehabilitation focuses heavily on physical recovery, our research looks more broadly at how injury impacts areas such as identity, routine, sense of purpose, and overall outlook on life. These effects can be especially significant for elite athletes, whose lives are often highly structured around performance.
“By working closely with coaching and medical staff, the initiative aims to equip organisations with the tools and knowledge needed to better support athletes during injury and recovery.”
She added: “Our focus is on creating meaningful, lasting change. Success isn’t just about implementation - it’s about improving awareness, strengthening support systems, and ensuring athletes feel genuinely supported throughout their recovery journey.
“There is also a huge benefit to the clubs in having this embedded within their approach towards player welfare because it demonstrates genuine ‘athlete-first’ thinking.”
One proposal being explored is an enhanced player onboarding process, designed to capture broader information about athletes such as stress management, support networks and personal circumstances.
The aim is to help coaches and medical staff provide more tailored support if injuries occur, with ongoing check-ins built into the process.
The team has already carried out research including focus groups, workshops and interviews with players, coaches and physiotherapists across club and international rugby.
DON'T MISS:
Good News Post
They recently presented the project at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Innovation Showcase, where they gathered feedback and tested the concept.
They are also considering long-term funding models, including a possible non-profit structure supported by grants and public funding.
