Andy Dawling is a man with many layers. He was the first professional rugby player to go to war, playing for Gloucester, Harlequins, and England Sevens, among other teams. During his time away at war, he had to witness some things that no one wishes to. However, he uses his love for sport to stay connected to his community. He’s also running the London Marathon 2025, raising money for Greenhouse Sports in the process.
We caught up with Andy to speak to him about his unique journey through life.
Q: We spoke earlier, and you said you found it difficult to concentrate and apply yourself in school. What was it about formal education that didn’t sit right with younger Andy?
By the age of 14, I had been in seven different schools just due to relocation. This came with different challenges – different friendship groups, educational systems, lots of change. And I feel like the thing that was lacking the most was that sense of belonging. I never truly felt like I fit in anywhere, and it stopped me from really feeling settled. Having a community around you is so important, looking after each other, making sure you all feel heard. At that age, having a voice is so important. There are lots of things going on, mental and physical changes, and having the opportunity to say, “let’s just decompress, let’s just shoot a basketball for a while”, it’s vital. The programme that Greenhouse runs has a real relatability to it. And providing that scaffolding to young people, it’s giving the next generation a chance to live life freely. Having an intervention like Greenhouse Sports when I was younger could’ve engaged me and kept me in school for longer.
Q: From the sounds of it, you once did and still do place a lot of importance on community and having somewhere you feel like you belong. Were you able to gain that sense of belonging and companionship in your adult life? If so, through what means?
I built amazing bonds with the people I was in the Armed Forces with. But I’ve also got the lens of being in professional sports, and I would say that is the closest parallel. The ethos behind sports, the teamwork – you’re relying on each other, all working towards a common goal. Individual sports will also teach you some great characteristics like discipline and endurance, but team sports have those transferable skills that you can bring to life. For me, sport was the one stabilising factor, it was my anchor through life. I started running around with a rugby ball at five years old! When coming back into society from the armed forces, it helped reintroduce me into society, because it gives you some common ground to build new relationships from.
Q: It’s amazing that sport has helped you feel more connected to today’s society. In your eyes, especially from the lens of the younger you that played rugby often, how do you feel that sport and mentoring help children in poverty today?
Something sport really allows you to do is briefly escape some of the challenges you might be facing. You go into a totally different bubble with like-minded people all with one common goal. The positivity that it brings is incredible. It fosters a great mindset, but there are lots of physical benefits too. They always say, healthy body, healthy mind. Sport gives the opportunity to learn functional movements, work on your speed, strength, stamina, agility, coordination, and so much more. Having a healthy body and a positive mindset can shape your world in such a different way. The mentoring comes in where; childhood nowadays is challenging. If these young children in poverty don’t receive this intervention to put them on the right track now, what will life look like for them in 15, 20 years? Using sport and mentoring gives them an opportunity to progress in life regardless of their circumstances and really give them a voice and helps them find their purpose.
If you’d like to help Andy fundraise for Greenhouse Sports, click the link below.