From Rugby Pitch to Snowy Peaks: Kearnan Myall's Unconventional Path to Winter Olympic Success
It is a remarkable transition from the muddy rugby fields of England to the pristine snow-covered slopes of international competition. Kearnan Myall, a former professional rugby player with 15 seasons at clubs like Leeds, Sale, and Wasps, now finds himself at the helm of GB Snowsport as its performance director. His journey from never having skied to leading Britain's Winter Olympic prospects is a testament to adaptability and vision.
Bridging Two Worlds: Rugby's Lessons on the Slopes
Myall openly admits the steep learning curve he faced, humorously noting the humility of watching Paralympic athletes, many of whom are visually impaired, swiftly navigate runs while he fumbled with his boots. Despite this, his rugby background has proven invaluable. "The level of professionalism in rugby is probably above what it is in some areas of Olympic sport," he reflects, highlighting how the pressure and expectation from his playing days have equipped him to build cohesive teams and drive performance.
His career spanned both ends of the high-performance spectrum—from the glory days at Wasps, with private jets and extensive support staff, to the frugal times at Leeds, where financial constraints meant carrying boots in hand luggage. This duality has helped him relate to athletes across different disciplines, emphasising the importance of understanding their individual needs beyond mere physical training.
Innovating for Gold: F1 Tech and Brain Science
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Myall's role is to give British snowboarders and skiers—including stars like Zoe Atkin, Kirsty Muir, Mia Brookes, and Charlotte Bankes—a competitive edge. He leverages cutting-edge innovations, such as collaborating with McLaren to develop new ski binding materials and employing brain science techniques. During his PhD studies at Oxford University, Myall explored how meditation enhances athletic performance and mental health, leading to a patented technology that uses quantum analysis to produce performance-related biomarkers from brain data.
This technology helps identify issues like "ruminative thought," where athletes dwell on past mistakes, and shows how meditation can break such patterns. It also holds potential for concussion management, a critical concern in contact sports like rugby. Myall's approach is holistic, focusing on creating healthy, happy athletes who can excel in their talents.
Fostering Talent: The Mia Brookes Example
Myall points to young snowboarder Mia Brookes as a prime example of his philosophy. "What Mia needs mostly is to be left alone with her crew to snowboard," he says, noting her multifaceted talents as a guitarist and artist. His goal is to allow athletes like Brookes to concentrate on their strengths while supporting their overall well-being, a lesson he wishes had been more prevalent in his rugby days, which he describes as "just the survival of the fittest."
He credits his own mental health journey, including work on himself and support from colleagues like sports psychologist Calum Clark, for shaping this empathetic approach. Myall also draws inspiration from creative figures in his life, such as musicians from the Ezra Collective and Theophilus London, to illustrate the value of authenticity under pressure.
Medal Hopes and a Chilled Vibe
With the Games imminent, Myall faces the pressure of GB's target of four to eight medals overall, aiming for one to two in his specific area. He is cautiously optimistic, citing athletes like Zoe Atkin's strong form in halfpipe skiing. "From my perspective, we're going into the Games exactly where we should be," he asserts, encouraging fans to watch the thrilling events.
In a light-hearted comparison, Myall reveals that snowsport athletes are "way more chilled than rugby players," preferring the occasional Aperol over raucous parties and early bedtimes to catch the best snow. As the world tunes in next month, all eyes will be on whether Myall's innovative strategies can propel Team GB to new heights on the winter stage.
