BEYOND THE SIDELINES

Join our trusted community of professional athlete families who care and support one another

About
Our vision is to create happy, successful and fulfilled family lives.
The unfolding story of success and failure makes sport so compelling to the millions of fans following it. In and amongst is a partner and family sharing both the joy of winning and the pressures that come with it. Whilst they are recognised as part of the athlete’s ‘team’ there is little or no guidance for those ‘at home’ in managing this day to day rollercoaster – this is what we aspire to change.
I love the person, not the athlete
SIMONETTO, D., 2017. The Football Wife: Developing a Courtesy Identity
MISSION
Bringing together a trusted community of pro-athlete families
We bring together a trusted community of professional athlete families to care, support and educate one another. We strive to drive long term positive wellbeing for all families during and post the professional athlete’s career driving positive outcomes both on the pitch and beyond the sidelines.
FOUNDERS
Where our community began
Lotty Steel
Partner of Brett Delaney, retired Rugby League player, Leeds Rhinos
Laura Hanson
Partner of Chris Hanson, Professional Golfer
Nigel Johnston
Director of Swan Coaching, Mentoring, Counselling
Partners' lives are riddled with situations which they must "muddle through". Each life event is represented by a knot in the rope, which a partner must navigate untying themselves. Beyond The Sidelines seeks to offer support and guidance to partners so they no longer have to struggle alone. The burden is shared, and the knots begin to loosen.
Sophie Warden, Edge Hill University, Masters Research student.
PARTNERS
We are proud to work with these partners as we shape our founding year
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos super league club, will be working with us to shape the services we offer, through a workshop and research programme with current families and partners of the club.
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Edge Hill University
Edge Hill University is a pioneering research institution for sport and mental health in the UK. Current research focuses on the lives of the athletes and issues they face, but neglects the point of view of partners. We will be working with researchers at the University to create industry leading research that will provide valuable insight into our unique world and shape the services we offer.
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Rugby League Cares
Rugby League Cares is a charity with a mission to enhance and enrich people’s lives through the power and positive influence of Rugby League that recognise the importance of our vision and aims in achieving their goals. We will work with them to support our stakeholder engagement, alongside supporting our day to day running of the programme.
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Chadwick Lawrence
Chadwick Lawrence is an established Yorkshire firm with offices around the region. Operating across a breadth of legal sectors, they also specialise in sports law and sports regulation and are one of Yorkshire's leading providers. We are thrilled to be working with them throughout our founding years as we shape the services we offer our community, alongside providing access to vital expertise as we continue to grow.
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FUNDING
How you can help us to grow our unique community
As we continue to grow, we endeavour to provide a FREE service to all our members funded through sponsorship and voluntary donations. If you would like to donate to help us shape Beyond the Sidelines and the services we offer our community please visit our go fund me page.