The trouble with rugby teams is that toxic masculinity runs deep.
It’s not the done thing to say you appreciate another.
But one excellent way around this that I experienced was an anonymous comment card.
You put your name on the top of the card/page/paper and then it was passed around with the goal that everyone wrote down what they liked about you or what they thought your strengths were.
It was excellent!
Awkwardness sidestepped, dialogue triggered.
Now you can’t bank on rugby players being the most articulate of fellows but you could see the sentiment behind the comments.
Then all of a sudden you can walk a little taller knowing your teammates think highly of you.
They appreciate having in their corner, even if they can’t say it out loud.
Thomas Duggan 