FORMER Super League referee Ian Smith and Jimmy Gittins, whose rugby league career was ended by a horrific neck injury in 2002, delivered a presentation on mental health awareness to Bulls' Academy and Scholarship starlets this week.

The pair are State of Mind Sport ambassadors, which is a charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote positive mental health among sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities, and ultimately to prevent suicide.

First established in UK Super League in 2011, State of Mind Sport is now a much-loved national charity and international movement, delivering its message across rugby league, rugby union, multiple other sports, age groups and territories.

The presentation reflected the club's intentions to educate the youngsters on all aspects of life away from rugby league.

Following the evening, which involved over 50 players and members of the coaching staff, Smith took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the club.

He said: "Many thanks to Toni Hoggett (Academy Football Admin) and the Bradford Bulls for their invite to me and Jimmy Gittins to promote our State of Mind mental health awareness sessions.

"It is fantastic that a rugby league club puts a lot of importance on improving the mental fitness of their Scholarship and Academy players."