The seventh series of School of Hard Knocks is due to start on Sky Sports in September, and with a team of participants who have faced issues like depression, homelessness and drug addiction, this year’s series based in Birmingham provides some of the toughest emotional and psychological challenges that the team has ever faced.
School of Hard Knocks is a social inclusion scheme that uses rugby to teach participants crucial life lessons and core values. The course is designed to deal not only with social issues such as crime and citizenship, but also potentially debilitating psychological problems like depression and addiction, to enable participants to enter the world of employment. Led by former World Cup winner Will Greenwood and Wales and British Lions legend Scott Quinnell, the School of Hard Knocks team are once again mentored by leading motivational psychologist Paul Boross. Each season features a number of guest contributors from the worlds of business, sport and politics, which have previously included the likes of Boris Johnson, Tony Blair and David Haye, and this series features the most special guest yet (to be announced shortly).
This year’s squad of players include individuals whose battles with depression and psychological issues have led to unemployment, homelessness and alcohol addiction, a particularly poignant subject following the untimely death of Robin Williams. One individual, JP, comes across as a likeable, gregarious man on the surface, but his depression has often held him back, costing him his job and jeopardising his relationships. Playing sport has provided JP with an outlet to deal with his depression and thanks to the coaching on School of Hard Knocks, his life is back on track.
“This year it has been fascinating to work with a team of bright, intelligent individuals who have so much potential, but have been held back in life by psychological problems” says Paul Boross, the Team Psychologist. “Facing up to and speaking out about issues like depression and addiction isn’t an easy thing for young men to do, but through School of Hard Knocks we have been able to work on the confidence and communication skills to help them to do so.”
Known as The Pitch Doctor, Paul Boross is an internationally recognised authority on communication, presentation, performance and the art and science of persuasion. Paul is the author of three bestselling books on pitching in presentation skills including the Amazon #1 The Pitching Bible. His work with young people facing extreme circumstances in School of Hard Knocks helps illustrate how, with the right coaching and motivation, it is possible to turn around the lives of almost anybody.
School of Hard Knocks starts on 12th September on Sky Sports.