Angela has got her mind on media award (From Warrington Guardian)

Sky Sports presenter Angela Powers nominated for Mind Media Award alongside Piers Morgan and Gok Wan

12:20pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Hannah Bargery

RUBBING shoulders with Piers Morgan and Gok Wan is Sky Sports presenter Angela Powers.

The 45-year-old, from Orford, has been shortlisted alongside the prime time TV stars in the factual entertainment category of the Mind Media Awards for her piece about the rugby league State of Mind campaign.

Shown before Warrington’s game against Hull on Sky Sports last season, the aim was to raise awareness and challenge stigma around mental health in rugby.

Angela, now in her 15th season with Sky, said she was surprised to have been nominated and was looking forward to ‘rubbing shoulders with the glitterati’.

She said: “It’s nice to be recognised for a job you’re proud of and know it’s had an effect but the most important thing is the State of Mind campaign getting the recognition it deserves.”

The campaign was launched after the death of Wigan and GB player Terry Newton in 2010 left everyone in the game in shock. The 10-minute feature included an interview with team mate Kris Radlinski on his battle with depression after retiring.

Angela added: “One of Terry Newton’s friends explained to us how difficult it is when you have left the game to re-integrate into society.

“Rugby players play a tough game, they put their body on the line and can’t show any weaknesses and we thought the most difficult thing would be getting high-profile players going on record.

“It was heart-rending talking to Terry’s dad about losing his son.

“He brought home a message about the responsibility on families of picking up on the signs of mental problems.”

The programme also made it easier for the State of Mind project to visit other clubs as they found there was already ‘better understanding’.

Mental health expert Phil Cooper, who works for 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and nominated Angela, said: “Angela has been really supportive of the campaign and it prompted a great discussion in the studio afterwards.”