Trenaman steps away to focus on mental health

Promising young Sydney Thunder allrounder Rachel Trenaman has become the latest cricketer to step away from the game to focus on her health and wellbeing.

Trenaman, 18, had been named in the Australia A squad to play India A in a three-game 50-over series beginning in Brisbane next week, while she will also be rested from the Women’s National Cricket League, where she plays for NSW Breakers.

She had played two matches for the Thunder in Rebel WBBL|05 while also completing her Year 12 exams.

"Rachel is a highly thought of young person who has the respect of her teammates, coaches and support staff at Sydney Thunder and NSW Breakers," Sydney Thunder’s Acting General Manager Chris Botherway said.

"Player health and wellbeing will always be our top priority and we will provide Rachel with all the time and support she needs to make a full recovery."

NSW Breakers coach Dom Thornely applauded Trenaman for having the courage to prioritise her health.

"We’re proud that Rachel was brave enough to speak up, and we’re here for her,” he said. “I know the cricket family is right behind her and we wish her the very best."

Trenaman's decision follows that of several female and male players in recent times.

Last month, Australia and Renegades allrounder Sophie Molineux decided to step away from Big Bash cricket to focus on her mental health, while Australia and Scorchers batter Nicole Bolton made a similar decision last summer.

Glenn Maxwell stepped away from the Australian team midway through the Gillette T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka, but has returned to state training this week.

Nic Maddinson pulled out of the Australia A team ahead of their match against the touring Pakistani team, while Pucovski asked selectors not to consider him for a Test debut following that game.

Cricket Australia's head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Alex Kountouris, said the governing body had been collecting data on mental health since 2014.

"With the data that we've got, we're seeing that our players are no less or more vulnerable than anyone else in society," Kountouris told cricket.com.au recently.

"We're not calling it anything other than what it is – a part of life – and we've got to find ways to be preventative and manage it when it happens.

"This is not something that's come up in the last week.

"It's something we've been conscious of for a long time."

A detailed survey of men's and women's players is currently near completion. Among the initiatives implemented in the wake of previous surveys and through associated player welfare strategies is a greater provision for mental health services available to young players involved in state and national pathways programs.

In addition to increased resourcing to identify and address mental health issues among young players and extra research work being undertaken with Melbourne-based mental health research group Orygen, psychologists will be on site at pathways championship events to provide support and information.

In addition, CA and the ACA will begin rolling out an education program for Australia's 300 or so men's and women's national and state-contracted players that will include a series of modules to develop greater awareness of mental health issues and literacy.

If you or someone you know needs support, visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au/