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Pontypool CEO Ben Jeffreys takes leave of absence to battle depression

07 Mar 2020

(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Welsh club Pontypool RFC have confirmed that Ben Jeffreys has taken a temporary leave of absence as the club’s chief executive officer to receive inpatient hospital treatment for depression.

In a statement, the club said: “Ben has been admitted to Priory Hospital Bristol and will give his full focus to addressing these mental health challenges in the coming weeks.

“Everybody at Pontypool RFC stands behind Ben as he takes this positive step and we look forward to welcoming him back to Pontypool Park as soon as he feels he is ready to return to the club.

“Please remember that #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay and if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, mental health helplines and support groups can offer expert advice.”

In a walesonline.co.uk interview last October for World Mental Health Day, Jeffreys spoke about how an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) drove him to the brink of suicide and how working at Pontypool RFC saved his life in 2013 following a serious illness to his wife and his dad suffering a stroke shortly after paying off all outstanding debts and taking full control of the rugby club.

.@PontypoolRFC is saddened to confirm that @BenJeffreys is to take a temporary leave of absence as the club’s CEO to receive inpatient hospital treatment for depression.
We fully support Ben's decision to ask for help.
Statement → https://t.co/kFVuQUW62v #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay pic.twitter.com/SMTdDfyVZ9
— Pontypool RFC (@PontypoolRFC) March 6, 2020

“I was suicidal but was not able to pull the trigger,” he admitted about a period in his life where he collapsed with exhaustion. “I would cross roads not looking, hoping a bus or car was coming and the driver would end it all.

“But my condition, coupled with the fear of losing the two people closest to me, meant I was about to hit absolute rock bottom. After volunteering for several months to get the club back up and running, I was appointed chief executive officer.

“Understand this:
You can sound confident and have anxiety.
You can look healthy but feel like shit.
You can look happy and be miserable inside.
You can be good looking and feel ugly.
So be kind, because every person is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” https://t.co/zmEO5RyhLU
— Ben Jeffreys (@BenJeffreys) February 15, 2020

“I felt totally undeserving of the role at the time, particularly when I was still coming to terms with my father’s ill health, as well as battling with my own mental health.

“Nonetheless, I believe it came at the right time. I needed a sense of purpose and an opportunity to grow as a person. In short, Pontypool RFC saved my life.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

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Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

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James 4 days ago

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And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

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dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

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dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

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dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

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RedWarriors 4 days ago

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I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

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JM 4 days ago

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Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

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RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 4 days ago

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Carlos 4 days ago

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He was also a YC magnet.

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Carlos 4 days ago

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Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

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Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

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Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

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Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

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BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

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Otagoman II 4 days ago

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NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍