Saint Spotlight: Josh Christie

Josh Christie started playing rugby at his local club, where his dad eventually coached. It has always been a sport that has drawn him in because of its sense of camaraderie: “It’s always been a big social sport tied in with the community,” he said. “It always has a really good sense of people looking out for each other.” 

Josh’s dad had a huge influence in developing his son’s love of the sport. “Looking back on it he always had an amazing love for sport, loved the sense of community, sense of duty, sense of responsibility you have as a player,” he reflected. His dad was a big sportsman who played rugby, cricket, and football at different levels throughout his career. While he finally packed his bag when his kids came along, he kept close ties with the local cricket and rugby clubs. “He was a much better player than I ever was, but the attitude he had always had the biggest impact on me.” Josh remembers his dad fondly and hopes to have a similar impact as a welcoming figure for new people joining St Andrews club. 

Josh Christie was preparing for an upcoming match on the next day that I spoke to him. It’s an important match for him and his team as they will remember a teammate they lost last year. The family will be in attendance to commemorate their loved one with the team. Afterwards, all will go to the Madras clubhouse to celebrate his life. “Sport is a powerful motivator; it’s a glue during times of difficulty, a good channel for communication about important issues,” reflects Christie. Recently, one of sports' biggest conversations has been surrounding men’s mental and physical health, especially in the world of Rugby.

Rugby has had a negative stigma surrounding it for quite some time, as it is seen as an overtly masculine sport with players that are closed off and silent. While this might have been the case thirty-odd years ago, things are changing: “A lot of rugby clubs are […] opening up conversations about how you feel,” Josh observed. Rugby has been impacted by a stigma which it is trying to break down by addressing the impact of the sport on men’s health. By partnering with the global initiative, known as ‘Movember’ to advocate for men’s health, some rugby clubs have been able to raised funds and awareness for the movement.  

Movember, which takes place during the month of November, highlights health issues many men face by raising awareness and gathering funds for treatment and support. The entire month is dedicated to opening up about the struggles many men face concerning their health. “Movember has had a really good relationship with rugby — that was something I was met with immediately,” stated Josh. According to the Movember’s official website, on average, men are dying 4.5 years before women for largely preventable reasons. Their fight focuses on men’s mental health, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and suicide prevention. The Movember page states that 10.6 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the world, and that testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men. Concerning men’s mental health, one man dies due to suicide every minute, accounting for 69 per cent of world suicides. Men’s health is in a state of crisis, and many men, like Josh Christie, are doing all they can to raise awareness for these issues.

Josh Christie was first inspired to advocate for men’s health in primary school when his own teacher opened up about his struggles. He described it as, “incredibly inspiring”. After that, in secondary school, he always looked for opportunities to talk about mental health, specifically around November. “It’s an important time to check in on others and check in on yourself,” he mentioned. When he came to University of St Andrews he was thrilled to see how much the student body got involved with advocating for men’s mental health. He cited “the amount of effort and the reaction.” “People were setting challenges and raising huge amounts of money,” he recalled.

Christie has taken on the challenge of swimming into the sea on West Sands every day of November to promote participation and boost proceeds for the cause. Last year, he raised £700 for Movember, and this year he hopes to break that record. He currently sits on the 2024 Movember committee who are striving to raise funds and awareness for men’s health. The committee hosted a Movember Sinners in 601 which was hailed a success. Throughout November, the Union are offering £4.44 lagers for anyone with a Movember page, as well as Movember wellbeing hours for anyone who wants to chat with their mental health representatives. There are several ways to get your ‘Mo’ on: their Instagram page is packed full of great ways to get involved during Movember to support men’s health. Check it out and find your way to ‘Mo’ this November!

Image from @ustamovember