As the fundraising month of ‘Movember’ comes to a close, The Mancunion spoke to Manchester Tyrants, the University of Manchester American Football team.
Every November since 2003, millions have attempted to grow their moustaches for a great cause. Movember has helped to fund over 1300 men’s health programmes across the world. The charity’s core aims are centred around raising awareness around prostate and testicular cancer but also encouraging conversations surrounding men’s mental health.
Manchester Tyrants is a mixed-gender, American Football team for players of all levels. After winning the BUCS Division 1 North in 2024, the Tyrants are on a mission to continue growing their club. As part of this mission, the Tyrants are promoting conversations on advocating for men’s mental health and not only as part of Movember but all year-around. I spoke to committee liaison officer, Toby Squire about the club’s plans for Movember and beyond.
The club’s Movember campaign has predominantly centred around individual fundraising efforts from everyone on the team. Toby explained that “In previous years, certain players raised the majority of the money but this is the first year where every single member has raised a sum of money individually…this means that everyone in the team is really getting involved in the Movember campaign’.
Standout performances include Devan Darcy-Flint; the ex-player, now Defensive Coordinator, who has raised over £1000 for the Movember campaign by completing the Men’s Hyrox Comeptition in Manchester. Not only is he the leading Movember fundraiser for Manchester Tyrants but also for the entire of University of Manchester.
Toby also discussed what Movember means to Manchester Tyrants. “In an aggressive and emotive sport such as American Football, mental health can really come to the forefront of the sport…a bad day can manifest itself on the pitch and a players’ mindset is very evident” he said. “Our team has over 53 young lads so mental health is something we cannot avoid’.
As a male-heavy sport, Toby and the Tyrants understand how easy it is to group players together under certain stereotypes, however, they are determined to break this stereotype down. “We want to show the lads how to effectively manage their mental health, speak to other team members and instead turn it into a positive and nurturing experience’. Toby continued, ‘When I was at my lowest points, my teammates were the ones that I held closest”
However, important conversations are not only reserved for the month of Movember with Manchester Tyrants. Joe Dodd, starting Quarterback leads the C.L.A.W talk; a team talk focused on the theme of consent and treating people with respect. “We point out behaviour, we hold each other responsible and accountable but also hold each other responsible for each other’s mental health” Toby explained.
It is clear that Manchester Tyrants are putting the well-being of their club at the forefront of their sport, something of utmost importance when playing a game filled with physicality such as American Football. With just under a week to go, the team have raised £1723 so far, a significant amount more than last year’s sum of £1,200.
You can donate to the Manchester Tyrants Movember page here: https://uk.movember.com/team/2405310
