Former Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore took his advocacy from the pitch to the global stage, addressing delegates at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The former player spoke during Global Health Futures Day about applying elite athletic performance principles to everyday public health.
Watmore, now head of elite performance at wellbeing firm PEAK4, holds a first-class economics degree and a masters. He told the assembly that using sport to improve the world is a deep personal passion. He described the opportunity as a real privilege.
He follows in the footsteps of footballing icons like Pele, David Beckham and George Weah who have addressed the UN in various ambassadorial and leadership roles. Watmore's transition from player to a role influencing global health policy highlights a unique post-career path.
His former club, meanwhile, are handling the early stages of the Premier League season. Sunderland currently sit 14th with four points from five games, a position they will look to improve when they host third-placed Brighton in their next match. The team's form has been mixed, with two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five outings.
