Building Resilience though rugby and art

"Building Resilience" public talk delivered on Wed 17 Sept at The Exchange in Twickenham.

 

The discussion took place at The Exchange in Twickenham, focusing on resilience in the arts and sports, particularly rugby.

 

Hosted by Alison Kervin OBE, featuring speakers Megan Seward, Kia Hayman, and Kate Howe.

 

Key Themes:

How do sport and art each uniquely build resilience?

Resilience is essential in both sports and art, often defined as the ability to overcome challenges and setbacks.

 

The speakers shared personal stories illustrating their experiences with resilience in their careers and personal lives.

 

Sports and Resilience:

Megan Seward discussed her journey in rugby, highlighting the pressures women face in a historically male-dominated sport. Her experience as a social media manager emphasized the need to produce content equal to their male counterparts

 

Kia Hayman shared her struggles with injuries in rugby and the mental resilience required to return to the sport. She emphasised the support from her team and the importance of community in building resilience.

 

Art and Resilience:

Kate Howe reflected on her artistic journey, which included overcoming personal tragedies and societal expectations. She noted that resilience is often built through collaboration and support from others. The discussion highlighted the importance of self-validation in creative fields, where external recognition is not always forthcoming. Gender Differences:

 

The panel discussed how different genders experience resilience. Women often face additional societal pressures and expectations, especially in balancing career and family responsibilities. Men are sometimes taught a different form of resilience that may neglect their health in favuor of competition.

 

Community and Support:

A strong theme was the importance of community support in developing resilience. Both sports and art can foster environments where individuals support each other, helping to build collective resilience.

 

Cultural Context:

The speakers discussed the historical context of resilience, particularly how societal structures have influenced the expectations placed on different genders. Future Perspectives: The conversation concluded with reflections on how art and sport can contribute to a more resilient society by fostering creativity, community, and support systems.

 

Conclusion: The event underscored that resilience is not just about enduring hardships; it's also about creating supportive environments that empower individuals to overcome challenges together, be it in sports or the arts.