“If I had a tough day at work, it felt like I’d been hit by a car”
This article is written by Progressive Rugby
Nic O’Leary was just 15 when he played the tough guy in a training session he didn’t even need to be at. His decision has led to a battle with brain injury ever since.
It was a hike for Nic to get to training for Welsh Exiles and the coaches had been kind enough to let him know he’d made the team. but hey - succeeding’s all about commitment right?
So, his dad duly drove him on the two-hour journey from Bognor Regis to Old Deer Park so his son could follow his dream of pulling on the red of Wales.
Not long into the session. Nic took a blow to the head during a mauling drill where an over enthusiastic teammate flew in, his head connecting flush with Nic’s temple.
“I had 5 minutes out but me being me I was never going to sit it out, I genuinely had no idea how serious it could be,” Nic, a gifted utility back, said.
The tragedy is, had Nic sat out and not returned to the fray on that chilly October evening in 2009 and managed his return he would almost certainly have been absolutely fine.
But a second innocuous blow left him sprawled on the turf. By the time his father had got him to the car he was unconscious and had stopped breathing.
His brain injury resulted in this bright student having his life blighted by poor cognitive function, reduced motivation and a troubling personality change. He couldn’t keep his emotions in check and would often end up in fights and in trouble with the police as he could not suppress his anger.
“My short-term memory is awful, I’d be asked to get something from the shop and by the time I had my shoes on I’d forgotten and it would wind me up,” Nic said.
“If I had a busy day at work, it felt like I’d been hit by a car. It would take me a few days to recover and holding down a full-time job became impossible because - as I didn’t look any different - people would assume I was lazy. That was probably the toughest thing to deal with.”
He believes his issues were exacerbated by medics misdiagnosing his condition as depression until 2015 when he got the help he needed. It’s meant far later than intended Nic, 31, qualified as a sports journalist and has started a successful agency called AllSports Media supporting companies with social media, writing, videography, public relations and brand guidance.
“I know the value of managing my workload so working for myself was the obvious option and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some high-profile clients,” Nic said.
And his thoughts on rugby now?
“Before my head injury I would eat, sleep and breathe rugby," said Nic. "I love the sport and don't want people to be discouraged from playing.
“But it is important to establish effective regulations and procedures to identify and treat concussion effectively while breaking down the ‘macho’ stigma of playing on when you are hurt.
“Clubs at every level have a duty of care to protect their players and take a responsible attitude to ensuring concussions do not go unnoticed and that injured players are supported.”
“If what Progressive Rugby are doing stops just one person from having to deal with what I go through every day then it’s worth the effort.”
‘By the time his father had got him to the car he was unconscious and had stopped breathing.’