When Elite Sports met Prison Rehabilitation

As per usual, the lads delved into their past, present and future. They had questions for Caelan, as he did for them. Some were surprised that someone of Caelan’s status would care enough to come to a prison, especially in the midst of his injury rehabilitation journey. By him being there, there was a real sense that they mattered. While some were aware of his accolades or his warrior-nature on the field, all were struck by how he showed up that day - present, open and with a deep sense of humanity. All left energised and more committed to making positive choices and changes. At the end, one man turned to Caelan and said, ‘when you go over the try line, the landings erupt with noise. That helps. Thank you’.

A knock came on the door for the lads to return to their cells. After some hugs and fist pumps and goodbyes, Caelan and I stood in the silence for a bit, letting it all sink in. Interestingly, we were left with a similar feeling to what would be had following a team development session with the likes of Leinster. Since then I’ve reflected on a few things:

🌀 In any given room - to various degrees - people will be living a range of universal human themes like, adversity, triumph, fear, resilience, potential, gratitude, loss, love, hope, redemption, belonging. When there is safety to share and be heard, real alchemy takes place.

🧬 I’ve often wrestled with whether connection is a wellbeing enhancer or a performance enhancer - for the individual or for the group. It’s both. It’s the glue that binds us to do great things. It’s what nourishes us emotionally and spiritually to keep going.

👨 Wherever and however it may be, the value of having spaces to be our full human selves, in all its messiness. To check in with ourselves and those around us. To make sense of the complex and often challenging journeys we are all on, together.

Cheers Caelan Doris for coming in and showing up as you do. Thanks to Spéire Nua & Damien Quinn for ongoing support to do this work, and to Irish Prison Service for facilitating.