Andy Farrell, in a raw revelation from his latest book "The Only Way I Know," has opened up about the severe abuse his son Owen Farrell endured during his early days in rugby league. The Ireland head coach's narrative provides a stark look at the challenges Owen faced growing up in the sporty shadows of his father in Wigan.
Owen's rugby journey began from as young as four, deeply entrenched in the Wigan Warriors culture where his father was making his mark. "Owen grew up on the touchlines, watching training and matches," Andy wrote, emphasizing the profound influence of rugby in Owen's childhood. Despite the nurturing environment, the young Farrell was not shielded from the darker side of the sport. He was often the target of harsh criticism simply for being the son of a rugby star.
"He, like me, grew up only wanting to play the game for the love of it,"
Andy detailed instances where the abuse escalated from verbal to physical, recalling a distressing episode where a parent assaulted Owen during a game. Such incidents painted a grim picture of the pressures and hostility Owen faced.
The toxicity reached a point where Andy had to rush to his son’s aid during a game, driven by a frantic call from his wife, Colleen. "You need to get here now; there is a fella on the sideline who is absolutely abusing Owen," she urged. The experience, as Andy described, was "disgusting" and reflective of the brutal sports culture of the time.
"Sadly, too, he was subjected to abuse as a young boy simply because he was my son,"
Owen's resilience and passion for the sport, however, saw him rise above the adversity, eventually transitioning to rugby union and following his father's footsteps to Saracens. His journey culminated in him captaining England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, before making a brief stint at Racing 92, and then returning to Saracens with renewed vigor for the national team.
Andy’s account not only highlights the personal trials of his son but also underscores a broader issue of parental behavior in youth sports. His revelations are a call to action, reminding us of the impact our conduct has on young athletes’ experiences and development in sports.
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Andy Farrell, in a raw revelation from his latest book "The Only Way I Know," has opened up about the severe abuse his son Owen Farrell endured during his early days in rugby league. The Ireland head coach's narrative provides a stark look at the challenges Owen faced growing up in the sporty shadows of his father in Wigan.
Owen's rugby journey began from as young as four, deeply entrenched in the Wigan Warriors culture where his father was making his mark. "Owen grew up on the touchlines, watching training and matches," Andy wrote, emphasizing the profound influence of rugby in Owen's childhood. Despite the nurturing environment, the young Farrell was not shielded from the darker side of the sport. He was often the target of harsh criticism simply for being the son of a rugby star.
"He, like me, grew up only wanting to play the game for the love of it,"
Andy detailed instances where the abuse escalated from verbal to physical, recalling a distressing episode where a parent assaulted Owen during a game. Such incidents painted a grim picture of the pressures and hostility Owen faced.
The toxicity reached a point where Andy had to rush to his son’s aid during a game, driven by a frantic call from his wife, Colleen. "You need to get here now; there is a fella on the sideline who is absolutely abusing Owen," she urged. The experience, as Andy described, was "disgusting" and reflective of the brutal sports culture of the time.
"Sadly, too, he was subjected to abuse as a young boy simply because he was my son,"
Owen's resilience and passion for the sport, however, saw him rise above the adversity, eventually transitioning to rugby union and following his father's footsteps to Saracens. His journey culminated in him captaining England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, before making a brief stint at Racing 92, and then returning to Saracens with renewed vigor for the national team.
Andy’s account not only highlights the personal trials of his son but also underscores a broader issue of parental behavior in youth sports. His revelations are a call to action, reminding us of the impact our conduct has on young athletes’ experiences and development in sports.