In a surprising twist of sporting fate, a former rugby professional is now at the helm of Great Britain's Winter Olympic ambitions. Kearnan Myall, who spent 15 seasons playing for clubs like Leeds, Sale, and Wasps, admits his transition from the rugby pitch to the snow-covered slopes has been a humbling journey. "Our athletes are way more chilled than rugby players," he observes, noting the disciplined, early-to-bed routines of snowboarders and skiers compared to the more raucous rugby culture.
From Lineouts to Leadership: Myall's Steep Learning Curve
As performance director of GB Snowsport, Myall's role is to sharpen the competitive edge of Team GB's talented snowboarders, freestyle, alpine, and mogul skiers ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite never having skied until recently, his rugby background has provided invaluable lessons in pressure management and teamwork. "I had many mental battles with Steve Borthwick," Myall recalls of his time opposing England's head coach in the lineout. "That part of the game taught me to think clearly under pressure, which is key now."
Innovating for Gold: F1 Tech and Brain Science
Myall is leveraging cutting-edge technology and science to boost GB's medal prospects. Collaborations with McLaren have led to the development of new materials for ski bindings, while his patented technology uses quantum analysis to derive performance biomarkers from brain data. This innovation helps identify issues like "ruminative thought," where athletes fixate on past errors. "Meditation breaks that pattern," explains Myall, who studied its effects on athletic performance during his PhD at Oxford University.
His holistic approach extends beyond physical training. "It's not just about making them do squats in a gym," he says. "You have to know them and what they're going through." This philosophy is evident in his support for athletes like Mia Brookes, a snowboarding prodigy who is also an accomplished guitarist and artist. "Our job is to let her concentrate and do what she's good at," Myall notes, emphasising the importance of personal expression in high-performance sport.
Rugby's Legacy: Professionalism and Perspective
Myall's rugby career, spanning from the glamorous days at Wasps with private jets to the frugal times at Leeds with budget travel, has given him a unique perspective on high performance. "The level of professionalism in rugby is probably above what it is in some areas of Olympic sport," he says, highlighting how this experience helps him navigate funding challenges and team dynamics. His background also fosters relatability with athletes, despite his lack of snow expertise initially.
Mental health is another area where Myall draws from personal experience. After enduring dark periods during his playing days, he now prioritises athlete well-being, supported by ex-rugby colleague Calum Clark, a sports psychologist. "It's not straightforward and it's not always amazing, but I've done a lot of work on myself," Myall shares, underscoring the importance of a healthy mindset for peak performance.
Creative Inspiration and Medal Targets
Beyond sports science, Myall finds inspiration in the creative arts, citing friendships with musicians like the Ezra Collective's keyboard player and Theophilus London. He uses their example to illustrate that authenticity under pressure is crucial for sporting success. As the Winter Olympics approach, Myall sets clear targets: GB aims for four to eight medals overall, with one to two in his snowsport domain. "We have several athletes who could really win medals," he says, pointing to Zoe Atkin's strong form in halfpipe skiing and Mia Brookes's immense talent.
In the end, Myall's journey from rugby scrums to snow summits embodies a blend of old-school grit and modern innovation. With athletes focused and ready, the stage is set for GB to potentially surpass its best-ever haul of five medals. As Myall puts it, "We're going into the Games exactly where we should be." The world will watch to see if his unique approach can lead Team GB to new heights on the winter stage.
