A “Youth Sports Talk” event hosted at Africa Roasters Coffee Shop at Paardevlei by clinical psychologist Johan le Roux, featured former South African Blitzboks captain Kyle Brown as the guest speaker, and highlighted the growing importance of mental health in sports, particularly among the youth.
The discussion, which took place on Monday 2 September and was attended by club and school sports coaches, focused on the challenges athletes face, the role of parents and coaches, and the need for greater support.
Johan, who works with athletes to address issues such as pressure, confidence, and resilience, noted a significant increase in parents seeking help for their children. He emphasised the need for more support systems to help athletes navigate these challenges.
Brown, a seasoned rugby veteran, shared his personal experiences and offered insights into the mental aspect of sports. He stressed the importance of parenting and coaching kids, emphasizing that it is a “human experiment” that requires effective techniques. “Keep them in the field and playing,” Brown advised. “Enjoyment is a huge part of it. Schools sport needs results, but it also needs enjoyment.”
Brown also discussed the challenges athletes face after retiring from professional sports. He shared his own experiences, including consulting, starting a coffee business, and joining an insurance brokerage. “Relationships and communication are key,” Brown said. “Kindness has taken me further than force and aggression. Positivity is intentional.”
He also emphasized the importance of perspective and not taking setbacks too personally. “People are in your life for a season,” he said.
Brown criticised the aggressive winning culture in South Africa, particularly in rugby. He urged coaches to protect and buffer children from this mentality. “Failure is not normalised,” Brown said. “We need to ask ourselves what our motivations are. Is it fear of failure or the allure of success?”
Brown revealed that he sought help from a clinical psychologist during his playing days to address negative thoughts and manage pressure. He emphasised the importance of gratitude and mental preparation. “Athletes in school should enjoy the moment,” Brown said. “If you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing something wrong. Sport allows you to shut the door on everything else. Confidence comes from knowing that the more you work on something, the better you’ll become.”
A school coach at the talk noted that parents have a significant influence on athletes’ perception of success. Brown agreed and emphasised the importance of open communication between parents and coaches. “Difficult conversations are necessary to figure things out and have a positive outcome,” he said.
Johan concluded the discussion by emphasising the need for ongoing conversations about mental health in sports. “We need to keep this up to ensure our kids are holistically engaged.”
