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Captains' Table Launched by Stevens
England and British Lions Rugby Prop, Matt Stevens, was the inaugural guest of Millfield Sports Captains' Table last month, stimulating thought and discussion among the school's young sports leaders. South African born Stevens - who represented the Junior Springboks before playing for the Lions in New Zealand in 2005 and England throughout the 2007 World Cup - spoke candidly of growing up among apartheid, his remorse at his current suspension, rugby's recent "bloodgate" and critically keeping his sport in perspective.
The Captains' Table is an initiative to bring together our young leaders, to share their ideas for the benefit of themselves and their teammates, and to foster the pillars of Leadership, Community and Excellence. For this first occasion Head Boy and Rugby Captain, Henry Thomas, was the host, instrumental in inviting and introducing Stevens, and setting the bar for what will be a rotating Chair.
Prior to dinner, budding writer Andy Lane spoke with Stevens about his up-bringing and career, and of course the challenges of being a young high performer:
"The glory of sport is born at the moment when the game and the person become one, when all the complexity of one's life finds a moment to emerge in the game."
---Timothy Shriver, Ph.D.
Professional Sport is without question physically, mentally and psychologically demanding on those participating within it. Some characters are naturally better equipped to deal with these pressures, from the apparent ease David Beckham feels under the spotlight, to the icy cool exterior Roger Federer delivers during Grand Slam Finals. Pressure can make or break a professional. It can be the smallest factor that equates to the biggest failure if it isn't handled well. Even the most talented footballer could not hope to win a World Cup final if he cracked under the pressure of a last minute penalty scrutinised within the media spotlight.
Whilst dealing with pressure can be a natural gift to some, it is a taught talent to others. Professional Rugby player Matt Stevens (Ex-Bath / current Saracens and England Prop) is a fine example of a sportsman that has crumbled under the intense competitive environment of international Rugby only to pick himself up and face the media onslaught, whilst recently signing a new contract with Premiership leaders Saracens. I was fortunate enough to interview Matt recently and dissect his valuable opinion on how to handle the pressure environment professional sport can bring.
Born in South Africa, the young Matt Stevens played all sports at school, ranging from Rugby to horse riding. He commented that he believed this upbringing was important in giving him ‘a skill base'. Having moved overseas to study at Bath University, Matt was signed by Bath Rugby Club and soon grabbing the attention of the media and international coaches alike. Whilst talking about his Bath career, Stevens emphasised his belief that preparation was key to his success in climbing quickly up the ranks into one of England's finest Props. Stevens commented that ‘Preparation is a key factor in success, if you don't prepare, you can't expect to play a good game or win the match.' When I asked Matt to explain the feeling of winning at the top level of sport, he gave an interesting answer. ‘Winning is obviously great, that feeling you get when after a hard 80 minutes of Rugby you look at the scoreboard and you've won is close to perfection. But losing creates an intense pressure. Defeat is incredibly hard to bear.'
On the subject of pressure in sport, Matt's comments gave an insight into what losing a game of Rugby can actually do to a person. Matt further commented on how to deal with that pressure. ‘Match day pressure all comes down to preparation. If you are well prepared, it just adds to the adrenaline and you have everything you need to perform well. Sportsmen must have a balanced lifestyle, at the end of the day Rugby is just a game and not the most important thing in life. The media can of course add to the pressure, but there is no way players should be listening to the press - whether it be good or bad. Player pressure can be more intense, nobody wants to let their selves and their teammates down.'
It was always been my understanding that it is extremely important for sportsmen to have interests outside the game they play. Matt himself owns the successful ‘Jika Jika' cafe and bar in Bath and he commented that outside interests are indeed massively important. ‘Sport is only a part of life. A person can become vulnerable if everything they have rests on a game of Rugby. Sportsmen must see perspective in life and pursue other ventures such as business, or music.'
Obviously, the drug scandal that broke last year put Matt out of the game for 2 years, but his honesty in front of the media displayed a Rugby player that had simply fallen under the intense pressure of his line of work. Matt was as honest when I asked him the reasons behind his drug taking. ‘The problem came from a depression caused by pressure. I got myself into the situation where I was attempting to mask the pain I was feeling with cocaine. It is so important for anyone in that situation to take a step back and look at the consequences. Drugs come with a severe health risk, as well as moral guilt and the knowledge that you will eventually get caught. You can say no.'
Matt Stevens now looks forward to turning out in the black and red of Saracens during January 2011, and he is clearly excited about the opportunity. ‘I see it as a second phase to my career. I'm looking forward to gelling with new players such as the influential Steve Borthwick and succeed in a winning team. I can't wait to thrive under the pressure the media and public will put on after my arrival'.
As Matt prepares to embark on his new Rugby adventure, it is important to summarise his advice on dealing with the pressures of living as a professional sportsman. Pressure can attack sportsmen from different angles; themselves, the world media, their family and friends, their teammates and coaches. Whilst listening to advice from families and coaches, it is essential for players to ignore as best they can any media attention. If a sportsman starts believing the good press they receive, they will be forced to do the same about the bad. Perspective is another key word, and anyone professional sportsman must have it. Remembering that their sport is not a life or death situation can go a long way to calming the pressures they may feel. Pressure and nerves can be essential to a performance if they are used in the right way and an athlete can thrive under them using perspective. To quote the great Tiger Woods, 'I always feel pressure. If you don't feel nervous, that means you don't care about how you play. I care about how I perform. I've always said the day I'm not nervous playing is the day I quit.'
