Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by suicide. Nearly three-quarters of those deaths are men, making suicide the single biggest killer of men under 50. Rugby is a sport built on grit, aggression, and resilience - but when it comes to mental health, too often the game falls behind. Petersfield RFC wants to change that.

Why an Away Kit?

The choice to make this shirt an away kit was deliberate. Wherever the 1st XV travels this season, the message will travel with them. By carrying the words Blackout the Stigma into opposition grounds, Petersfield RFC hopes to spark conversations not just at home, but across the wider rugby community.

The Design

The Blackout the Stigma design focuses entirely on the shirt, which has been completely blacked out. The Petersfield crest, Gilbert logo, and sponsor logos are all applied in tonal dark grey, blending subtly into the fabric. At the centre of the chest sits the LooseHeadz logo in white, proudly standing out between the Petersfield and Gilbert logos as the focal point of the kit.

To meet World Rugby regulations, the shirt number is also printed in white on the back for clear visibility.

About LooseHeadz

LooseHeadz was founded by three lifelong rugby fans who shared one powerful mission: to tackle the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time. What started as a simple idea has since become a global movement.

Through their “LooseHeadz Foundation,” the charity embeds mental health leads in rugby clubs across all levels of the game, from grassroots to the professional stage. These leads act as trusted points of contact, equipped with the tools and resources to support teammates and spark conversations around mental health. The ambition is bold but clear - to put a mental health lead into every rugby club in the world.

LooseHeadz also raise awareness through campaigns, content, and partnerships like this one with Petersfield RFC, while funding projects that directly impact mental health provision. Their vision is that rugby can become the sport that leads the way in breaking down barriers and building a culture where nobody suffers in silence.

To hear more about LooseHeadz or support their work, click this link

What’s Next?

The reaction to the Blackout the Stigma shirt has already been fantastic. Soon, the shirt will be available to purchase through the Petersfield RFC Club Shop, with a proportion of every sale going directly to LooseHeadz to support their ongoing work.

Looking ahead to the new year, the club plans to dedicate a home fixture to the campaign. The 1st XV will take to Penns Place in the blackout kit, and supporters will be encouraged to wear black in solidarity. On the day, the club hopes to welcome representatives from LooseHeadz as guests of honour to speak about the charity’s mission and impact.

The matchday will also feature opportunities to fundraise further:

Sales of the Blackout the Stigma shirt in the club shop.
A raffle of a framed blackout shirt.
The sale of LooseHeadz merchandise.
Traditional matchday fundraising games such as “Heads & Tails.”

All money raised from these activities will go directly to LooseHeadz.

Mental Health Support at Petersfield RFC

As part of this campaign, Petersfield RFC has appointed Chase Thomas as the club’s Mental Health Lead. Chase is available for anyone at the club who wants to start a conversation about their mental health.

Want to talk to someone at the club?
Message Chase directly on ? 07496 568385.

For confidential support outside the club, Samaritans are available free, day or night, on 116 123.

That first conversation can make all the difference. You never have to face it alone.