Mind the Gap: How rugby prepares players for a new life

How often do you speak with players in the week?

At the Monday meeting I stand in front of the squad and I talk about someone who has, for example, started a degree, done a workshop or opened a business. Every Wednesday, which is a day off for players, we have a personal development day.

Recently I took 15 to a start-your-own-business workshop. Another time I took five or six guys to a 7:30 a.m. business breakfast where they could network with local businessmen.

We also have skills sessions when they learn about, for example sales skills and negotiating skills. We try to expose them to a range of different things and they can work out what they are interested in. Having them sit in an office from 9-5 doing work experience helps them understand whether it’s for them or not. Actually some of them quite like it.

Are players enthusiastic about your work?

Some of the squad are very engaged, others are in the middle and there are always some who are not engaged. When we offer help for the ones who are not engaged with stuff like their mortgage or car insurance then often we can break down the barrier. Then they start to see you as someone who can help them out.

An example of a player you have worked with?

One player, Ronan Loughney, completed a business degree and felt he should work in the corporate world but he had a real passion for making bespoke furniture. He attended many of the start-your-own-business sessions that we organized and met a lot of entrepreneurs and mentors in this space. He has decided to launch his own company doing interior design and bespoke furniture making. If a player has a real passion for something we encourage them to follow that passion.