Engagements / Elite sport · Mental health & wellbeing

Why Not I in collaboration with Harlequins Rugby

Beyond the Game. Beyond the Conversation.

An opportunity to connect with elite athletes beyond performance, creating space for honest conversations around mental health, identity, resilience and life in professional sport.

Kofi Josephs speaking to Harlequins players and staff gathered for his session

Setting: Harlequins Rugby
Format: Full-day engagement
Focus: Mental health, wellbeing and life in elite sport

The engagement film

The day in motion

The original film from the Why Not I day at Harlequins Rugby — the session, the conversations and the time spent together on and off the pitch.

Kofi Josephs arriving at the Harlequins entrance wearing a Why Not I hoodie

The engagement

More Than a Talk

Why Not I founder Kofi Josephs spent the day with Harlequins Rugby, connecting with professional players and staff through an engagement focused on mental health, wellbeing and the realities of life in elite sport.

Drawing on his own experiences as an international professional basketball player, Kofi brought a perspective shaped by years of competing in high-performance environments, navigating personal challenges and understanding the pressures that exist beyond what supporters see on the pitch.

The engagement provided an opportunity to explore the importance of mental wellbeing, personal identity, resilience and the value of having honest conversations.

But what made the day particularly meaningful was what happened beyond the formal presentation.

Beyond the presentation

The Conversations That Matter

Following the talk, conversations continued throughout the day as players approached Kofi individually to ask questions, share perspectives and explore subjects raised during the session.

Several athletes also expressed an interest in connecting with Kofi independently for further conversations and support beyond the team environment.

These interactions reinforced something central to the Why Not I mission: meaningful engagement is not measured solely by the delivery of a presentation, but by the trust, openness and connections that can develop afterwards.

Creating an environment where athletes feel comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences and seeking support is an important part of encouraging positive mental health conversations within professional sport.

Kofi Josephs with a Harlequins player outside the club building

An editorial reflection

“The most meaningful conversations don’t always happen during the talk. Sometimes, they begin afterwards.”

Visual event story

A Day Inside Harlequins

Beyond the presentation, the visit offered an opportunity to spend time with the wider Harlequins environment, meeting players and staff, exchanging experiences and building genuine relationships. From informal discussions throughout the day to joining some of the players for a little passing rugby, the experience reflected the importance of connection through shared experiences and a mutual understanding of elite sport. The welcoming atmosphere and positive engagement from both players and staff made the visit particularly memorable.

Kofi Josephs viewing a framed Harlequins shirt inside the club building

Kofi Josephs balancing a rugby ball on his hand beside a goalpost on the Harlequins pitch

Kofi Josephs talking with a member of the Harlequins team on the pitch

Kofi Josephs under the posts on the Harlequins pitch with a rugby ball in the air

Impact beyond the session

What the day created

The Harlequins engagement demonstrated the value of creating opportunities for athletes to connect, reflect and engage in meaningful conversations outside their usual performance responsibilities.

Meaningful Engagement

A dedicated opportunity to connect with professional rugby players and staff through shared experiences and conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Continued Conversations

Players approached Kofi throughout the day for further discussions, with several expressing interest in maintaining contact beyond the engagement.

Building Connections

Time spent with the wider team helped establish genuine relationships and reinforced the value of personal connection within elite sporting environments.

The work continues

Because behind every athlete is a person

At Why Not I, we believe the power of inspiration lies in what happens next.

Whether through a keynote, a personal conversation or simply taking the time to connect, our aim is to help individuals feel seen, heard and empowered to take positive steps towards their wellbeing.

Our time with Harlequins was another opportunity to bring that mission into an elite sporting environment, connecting with athletes as people first, beyond the expectations and pressures of professional performance.

“Because behind every athlete is a person, and every person deserves to be heard.”

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Kofi Josephs speaking during the UCFB × Manchester United conference

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