1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zedb. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:18,747 Speaker 2: Dart with intriguing and slightly troubling news this week two 4 00:00:18,747 --> 00:00:22,387 Speaker 2: thousand and three. England rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen 5 00:00:22,907 --> 00:00:27,147 Speaker 2: revealed this week he sold his World Cup winner's medal 6 00:00:28,107 --> 00:00:32,067 Speaker 2: in order to survive financial struggles. During COVID nineteen. Ben 7 00:00:32,107 --> 00:00:35,747 Speaker 2: Cohen played fifty seven tests for England, started in the 8 00:00:35,787 --> 00:00:39,227 Speaker 2: two thousand and three final victory over Australia in Sydney. 9 00:00:39,627 --> 00:00:41,387 Speaker 2: Also played a couple of matches for the British and 10 00:00:41,427 --> 00:00:45,787 Speaker 2: Irish Lions. In two thousand and one, in a newspaper interview, 11 00:00:45,827 --> 00:00:49,827 Speaker 2: Ben Cohen talked about his post career struggles, including selling 12 00:00:49,867 --> 00:00:53,827 Speaker 2: his winner's medal in order to help relieve financial pressure 13 00:00:53,827 --> 00:00:56,667 Speaker 2: on he and his family. Now it again opened up 14 00:00:56,667 --> 00:01:00,467 Speaker 2: the ongoing discussion of the challenges of transitioning from life 15 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:05,627 Speaker 2: as a professional sportsperson to life beyond that stage of life. 16 00:01:06,347 --> 00:01:09,307 Speaker 2: Bateman played professional rugby for nearly two decades with the 17 00:01:09,347 --> 00:01:11,747 Speaker 2: Crusaders and the Hurricanes, the Bolt of All Blacks and 18 00:01:11,747 --> 00:01:14,867 Speaker 2: we captain. He also had time in Japan and has 19 00:01:14,947 --> 00:01:17,947 Speaker 2: been a prominent voice in the space in both physical 20 00:01:18,147 --> 00:01:21,227 Speaker 2: and mental wellness, and he joins us Now, Tim, thanks 21 00:01:21,267 --> 00:01:23,107 Speaker 2: for taking the time to discuss this topic. It's an 22 00:01:23,147 --> 00:01:23,867 Speaker 2: important one. 23 00:01:23,707 --> 00:01:24,067 Speaker 3: I think. 24 00:01:24,427 --> 00:01:29,387 Speaker 2: Do you think that stories like ben Cohens perhaps a 25 00:01:29,427 --> 00:01:31,347 Speaker 2: little bit more common than we think? 26 00:01:32,907 --> 00:01:35,227 Speaker 3: Well, they really are, aren't they, Which is just such 27 00:01:35,227 --> 00:01:38,627 Speaker 3: a shame. You know, it's an unbelievably sad story. But 28 00:01:38,707 --> 00:01:41,147 Speaker 3: it's not abnormal, is it. You know, we've all heard 29 00:01:41,147 --> 00:01:43,187 Speaker 3: stories like this and it's not a new thing either, 30 00:01:43,347 --> 00:01:45,747 Speaker 3: something that's been around a long time, and it crosses 31 00:01:45,827 --> 00:01:48,787 Speaker 3: codes and in nextally crosses all industries. You know, supports 32 00:01:48,827 --> 00:01:52,307 Speaker 3: obviously highlighted a lot more, but it's necessarily so I mean, 33 00:01:52,347 --> 00:01:55,867 Speaker 3: that whole financial management sort of side of things, it's 34 00:01:55,907 --> 00:01:58,987 Speaker 3: done right. Ideally you wouldn't be in a situation like 35 00:01:59,107 --> 00:02:01,587 Speaker 3: he's just been in. So yeah, it's really unfortunate that 36 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:04,667 Speaker 3: we heard much too much of it, don't. 37 00:02:04,507 --> 00:02:06,867 Speaker 2: We Yep, we do. We do want to down too 38 00:02:06,907 --> 00:02:08,907 Speaker 2: that financial side of things and others in a moment, 39 00:02:08,947 --> 00:02:13,227 Speaker 2: but in very broad terms, how challenging is the move 40 00:02:14,187 --> 00:02:16,067 Speaker 2: from professional sport to life after that? 41 00:02:17,067 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 3: Yes, I mean it is a challenge. I mean, once 42 00:02:19,907 --> 00:02:21,427 Speaker 3: you know, I know this is not the only challenge. 43 00:02:21,427 --> 00:02:23,747 Speaker 3: It's not a unique challenge. Everyone has challenges in life, 44 00:02:23,787 --> 00:02:26,907 Speaker 3: but it really is a difficult transition. It's really hard 45 00:02:26,907 --> 00:02:30,307 Speaker 3: to sort of explain all the different facets that that 46 00:02:30,427 --> 00:02:33,347 Speaker 3: you sort of have to consider, so just to chuck 47 00:02:33,347 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 3: a couple out there. So physical, it's like significant changes physically. 48 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:40,387 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, I played professional for sivent teen 49 00:02:40,467 --> 00:02:43,667 Speaker 3: years and my work was training, so literally I turned up. 50 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:46,267 Speaker 3: I had people guiding me through being as healthy as 51 00:02:46,307 --> 00:02:49,947 Speaker 3: I possibly could be physically strong, fast, and the flow 52 00:02:49,987 --> 00:02:51,747 Speaker 3: and effects of that that move into sort of that 53 00:02:51,827 --> 00:02:53,627 Speaker 3: mental space as well. But you've also got a lot 54 00:02:53,627 --> 00:02:55,867 Speaker 3: of mental support around you with me to skill coaches 55 00:02:55,907 --> 00:03:00,707 Speaker 3: and stuff, you know, mentors and whatnot that are really 56 00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:02,427 Speaker 3: shaping that. And all of a sudden, it's like a 57 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:05,267 Speaker 3: stop mark that happens on those two things immediately, you know, 58 00:03:05,347 --> 00:03:07,187 Speaker 3: And all of a sudden you've got to figure that out, 59 00:03:07,267 --> 00:03:09,667 Speaker 3: you know, and you can do nothing, you know, and 60 00:03:09,707 --> 00:03:12,587 Speaker 3: there'll be consequences for that. You don't have to continue 61 00:03:12,587 --> 00:03:14,587 Speaker 3: obviously train like professional athlete. But one thing I always 62 00:03:14,627 --> 00:03:16,307 Speaker 3: sort of try and courage people to do is find 63 00:03:16,307 --> 00:03:18,667 Speaker 3: a way that you can stay active physically, because you 64 00:03:18,707 --> 00:03:21,947 Speaker 3: can underestimate what that's doing to you, both physically and mentally. 65 00:03:21,987 --> 00:03:24,947 Speaker 3: But there's a number of other sort of factors too 66 00:03:24,987 --> 00:03:28,507 Speaker 3: that we can discuss that. Yeah, those two are real 67 00:03:28,587 --> 00:03:30,907 Speaker 3: obvious ones. You leave an environment where you really looked 68 00:03:30,907 --> 00:03:33,747 Speaker 3: after physically and mentally, and all of a sudden, Yeah, 69 00:03:33,787 --> 00:03:35,347 Speaker 3: you're sort of out on your own. Things are a 70 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:36,067 Speaker 3: little bit different. 71 00:03:36,307 --> 00:03:39,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, and there two of six pillars you talked about 72 00:03:39,387 --> 00:03:41,747 Speaker 2: on a terrific podcast I listened to a little while 73 00:03:41,747 --> 00:03:44,947 Speaker 2: ago with James Marshall about the six important pillars for 74 00:03:45,027 --> 00:03:49,067 Speaker 2: transition success. You've mentioned physical self and mental health, social 75 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:53,627 Speaker 2: well being, financial structure, and passion or purpose with the others. 76 00:03:53,787 --> 00:03:56,187 Speaker 2: Are there any of those two that are more common 77 00:03:56,227 --> 00:03:59,427 Speaker 2: among retiring athletes than perhaps some of the others. 78 00:04:00,027 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, it's cool. For me. Was sort of the 79 00:04:04,547 --> 00:04:06,507 Speaker 3: framework through which I can sort of see things. So 80 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:09,467 Speaker 3: take social for example. You know, like the reality is 81 00:04:09,507 --> 00:04:12,267 Speaker 3: in a rug or any sort of higherfluence sport environment 82 00:04:12,427 --> 00:04:15,027 Speaker 3: with a group of like minded people, and you're having 83 00:04:15,027 --> 00:04:16,627 Speaker 3: a lot of fun together every day. You know, you 84 00:04:16,747 --> 00:04:18,907 Speaker 3: see all the serious stuff that's going on, but also 85 00:04:18,947 --> 00:04:21,187 Speaker 3: you've got this real sort of social connection, Like I 86 00:04:21,227 --> 00:04:23,347 Speaker 3: could travel up to Japan and all of a sudden, 87 00:04:23,347 --> 00:04:26,347 Speaker 3: I've got forty like minded people that I'm working together 88 00:04:26,387 --> 00:04:28,667 Speaker 3: with every day. Once again, you transition out of that, 89 00:04:28,787 --> 00:04:31,027 Speaker 3: and it's not as if that's there's no one that 90 00:04:31,067 --> 00:04:32,667 Speaker 3: you can hang out with socially, but it's just a 91 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,347 Speaker 3: different dynamic and so you have to make adjustments to that. 92 00:04:35,427 --> 00:04:38,307 Speaker 3: So once again, what I always recommend players, you keep 93 00:04:38,347 --> 00:04:41,987 Speaker 3: a really good social network out of the game, out 94 00:04:42,067 --> 00:04:44,627 Speaker 3: of whatever you're doing, so when that leaves, you're sort 95 00:04:44,667 --> 00:04:47,507 Speaker 3: of not left time and dry, because it is It's 96 00:04:47,547 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 3: funny that you know, the year after IDT to Crusade, 97 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:51,587 Speaker 3: it it just feels a little bit different. Messages rich 98 00:04:51,587 --> 00:04:54,067 Speaker 3: among it, even though we're close friends, and it just 99 00:04:54,067 --> 00:04:55,747 Speaker 3: does it feels like, you know, you're that sort of 100 00:04:56,027 --> 00:04:59,227 Speaker 3: guy clinging on from the outskirts, and so even though 101 00:04:59,227 --> 00:05:01,427 Speaker 3: you've built these really strong connections, it's just a little 102 00:05:01,427 --> 00:05:04,787 Speaker 3: bit different. But in financial obviously, it's that we're touching 103 00:05:04,827 --> 00:05:08,587 Speaker 3: on here, and there's a big, a big transition around finances, 104 00:05:08,627 --> 00:05:11,347 Speaker 3: and I'm firmly of the view that you know, it 105 00:05:11,747 --> 00:05:14,547 Speaker 3: shouldn't be a feeling, you know, the money that you 106 00:05:14,547 --> 00:05:16,827 Speaker 3: can make as a ROBI players shouldn't be the only 107 00:05:16,907 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 3: time that you can make that sort of money. If 108 00:05:18,507 --> 00:05:20,747 Speaker 3: you set things up well and you do things honestly, 109 00:05:21,267 --> 00:05:23,587 Speaker 3: you should be able to sort of chase another nuntin. 110 00:05:23,827 --> 00:05:26,107 Speaker 3: But I mean those last two that you sort of 111 00:05:26,107 --> 00:05:28,067 Speaker 3: touched on just now, that sort of passion and purpose 112 00:05:28,107 --> 00:05:32,387 Speaker 3: and structure that is that that's a really important one 113 00:05:32,387 --> 00:05:34,947 Speaker 3: that she was down at Otaio Correction facility speaking with 114 00:05:35,747 --> 00:05:39,587 Speaker 3: some of the inmates that are transitioning out, and this 115 00:05:39,667 --> 00:05:41,747 Speaker 3: is the two or the structure one for them is 116 00:05:41,747 --> 00:05:43,787 Speaker 3: a real big one. So like as a rugby player, 117 00:05:44,387 --> 00:05:46,027 Speaker 3: I could tell you what I was going to be 118 00:05:46,027 --> 00:05:47,627 Speaker 3: doing in three years time, what I was going to 119 00:05:47,627 --> 00:05:49,027 Speaker 3: be eating, where I was going to be, who was 120 00:05:49,027 --> 00:05:50,787 Speaker 3: going to be worth of the things. And that provides 121 00:05:50,867 --> 00:05:54,227 Speaker 3: quite an element of certainty in your life that your 122 00:05:54,267 --> 00:05:56,547 Speaker 3: weeks and your years and your months are very very 123 00:05:56,587 --> 00:05:59,227 Speaker 3: structured once you when you leave, you've got to build 124 00:05:59,267 --> 00:06:01,347 Speaker 3: your own structure into your life. Well, when do you 125 00:06:01,347 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 3: find time for your family, When do you find time 126 00:06:03,027 --> 00:06:04,947 Speaker 3: to look after yourself physically? When do you find times 127 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:07,187 Speaker 3: that be social? When do you how do you manage 128 00:06:07,187 --> 00:06:11,907 Speaker 3: all these things? And so it's optimized with a highfluence environment. 129 00:06:11,947 --> 00:06:14,187 Speaker 3: But you've got to figure all that stuff out for yourself. 130 00:06:14,267 --> 00:06:18,587 Speaker 3: So once again, it's just it's a transition that passion 131 00:06:18,627 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 3: and purpose piece very similar to the social You're in 132 00:06:22,267 --> 00:06:26,307 Speaker 3: an environment where people are really driven towards something and 133 00:06:26,347 --> 00:06:28,467 Speaker 3: you're on the shared mission to you every week, where 134 00:06:28,467 --> 00:06:30,467 Speaker 3: you're sort of almost like you go into war, you know, 135 00:06:30,547 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 3: and it just fosters a real sense of enjoyment and 136 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 3: passion for what you're doing. When you leave that, it's 137 00:06:38,067 --> 00:06:39,827 Speaker 3: not about you don't have to replace it to the 138 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:41,987 Speaker 3: same group, but you've got to find something else that 139 00:06:42,027 --> 00:06:44,467 Speaker 3: you can sort of be passionate about or can chast 140 00:06:44,507 --> 00:06:46,987 Speaker 3: because I really think there's a lot of benefits that 141 00:06:47,067 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 3: come towards working, towards working on something or towards something 142 00:06:49,827 --> 00:06:50,827 Speaker 3: that you really care about. 143 00:06:51,907 --> 00:06:53,787 Speaker 2: So interesting, and I look at those six things, and 144 00:06:54,027 --> 00:06:56,227 Speaker 2: as you've outlined, they're all so important. I guess though 145 00:06:56,267 --> 00:06:58,507 Speaker 2: you could get by without, you know, having your mates 146 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:00,987 Speaker 2: around or without having a particular purpose, but you need 147 00:07:01,027 --> 00:07:03,347 Speaker 2: to earn, don't you. Well most people do. There's very 148 00:07:03,387 --> 00:07:06,587 Speaker 2: few who who retire from professional sport with an enough 149 00:07:06,867 --> 00:07:09,707 Speaker 2: to not ever have to work again. What can be 150 00:07:09,707 --> 00:07:13,707 Speaker 2: better done? To help athletes, you know, I guess, not 151 00:07:13,867 --> 00:07:17,067 Speaker 2: have to face those financial challenges, but also to help 152 00:07:17,107 --> 00:07:18,707 Speaker 2: alleviate them. 153 00:07:19,107 --> 00:07:21,707 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, I'm probably a little bit different to 154 00:07:21,787 --> 00:07:24,467 Speaker 3: how some people would view this, but I'm a massive 155 00:07:24,547 --> 00:07:28,147 Speaker 3: fan of sort of personal accountability, personal responsibility. And the 156 00:07:28,187 --> 00:07:31,187 Speaker 3: reality is is there is a lot of support out there, 157 00:07:31,307 --> 00:07:35,107 Speaker 3: and some players and athletes will choose to engage with 158 00:07:35,147 --> 00:07:37,707 Speaker 3: it more than others, and you know, and that's and 159 00:07:37,707 --> 00:07:40,547 Speaker 3: that's once again, it's not it's not to throw anyone 160 00:07:40,867 --> 00:07:43,267 Speaker 3: under the bus, and that life is challenging for everyone. 161 00:07:43,347 --> 00:07:45,907 Speaker 3: But at the same time, like your life is discerned 162 00:07:45,907 --> 00:07:47,347 Speaker 3: by what you choose to put in and where you 163 00:07:47,427 --> 00:07:49,707 Speaker 3: choose to put your focus. And so if you've had 164 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:54,147 Speaker 3: zero time thinking about or planning for a change socially 165 00:07:54,227 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 3: or financially or physically, well whatever it is that's going on, 166 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,027 Speaker 3: I mean, the reality is it's going to be harder. 167 00:07:59,227 --> 00:08:02,267 Speaker 3: That's that's just the way it falls out. And I mean, 168 00:08:02,387 --> 00:08:05,347 Speaker 3: I'm sure there's lots of things that that all organizations 169 00:08:05,347 --> 00:08:08,467 Speaker 3: can do to better support their people. So it's not 170 00:08:08,587 --> 00:08:11,467 Speaker 3: i it's not a complete blanket, but in my experience, 171 00:08:11,787 --> 00:08:14,947 Speaker 3: it's really got a bit an individual driven and the 172 00:08:15,027 --> 00:08:18,387 Speaker 3: support that you get from the organization that should almost 173 00:08:18,467 --> 00:08:21,307 Speaker 3: be a bonus. I think about when I first came 174 00:08:21,347 --> 00:08:24,467 Speaker 3: into a High performance to what it was like when 175 00:08:24,467 --> 00:08:27,107 Speaker 3: I left and we had professional development, managed to be 176 00:08:27,187 --> 00:08:29,707 Speaker 3: mental skills coaches, We had you know, would be put 177 00:08:29,787 --> 00:08:32,027 Speaker 3: on to the right people if we wanted doors open. 178 00:08:32,387 --> 00:08:34,947 Speaker 3: There was a whole network that you could access. But 179 00:08:34,987 --> 00:08:38,267 Speaker 3: the reality is it doesn't feel important at the time. 180 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:40,267 Speaker 3: You're really just thinking about the game and the weekend, 181 00:08:40,667 --> 00:08:42,627 Speaker 3: and you've got ten guys behind you're wanting to take 182 00:08:42,627 --> 00:08:45,307 Speaker 3: your spot, So it doesn't become a real as never 183 00:08:45,427 --> 00:08:47,827 Speaker 3: seen as a real priority, until all of a sudden. 184 00:08:47,627 --> 00:08:52,147 Speaker 2: It is, yeah, I've got written down here. I wonder 185 00:08:52,187 --> 00:08:54,707 Speaker 2: if players who are early in their careers are less 186 00:08:54,747 --> 00:08:57,307 Speaker 2: open to discussions of the sort because it just seems 187 00:08:57,347 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 2: so far away from them, Jim, doesn't it a twenty one, 188 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:02,187 Speaker 2: twenty two year old player who all they're caring about 189 00:09:02,307 --> 00:09:04,787 Speaker 2: is exactly what you've outlined, playing their best, keeping their spot, 190 00:09:04,947 --> 00:09:07,387 Speaker 2: becoming an All Black, whatever it might be. Are players 191 00:09:07,467 --> 00:09:11,227 Speaker 2: early in their career is less open to discussions about 192 00:09:11,587 --> 00:09:13,067 Speaker 2: what happens post career. 193 00:09:13,867 --> 00:09:16,467 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's quite unique. Isn't it if you're 194 00:09:16,467 --> 00:09:19,107 Speaker 3: thinking about every other career. You know, you don't go 195 00:09:19,227 --> 00:09:22,787 Speaker 3: into your legal career or your teaching career having to 196 00:09:22,867 --> 00:09:26,107 Speaker 3: plan for your next career. Yeah, you're not thinking, actually 197 00:09:25,947 --> 00:09:28,107 Speaker 3: I need to think about what's going to happen next. 198 00:09:28,867 --> 00:09:31,667 Speaker 3: But so I think rugby is unique, well, hbsorts bater 199 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:33,587 Speaker 3: is unique, and that there is always going to be 200 00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:37,467 Speaker 3: a finish line. This is, but it never really feels 201 00:09:37,507 --> 00:09:40,147 Speaker 3: like it. And I think, I mean, I know that 202 00:09:40,187 --> 00:09:42,707 Speaker 3: the induction they do at the ends are for all 203 00:09:42,707 --> 00:09:45,467 Speaker 3: new players. Is a huge focus on this. The reality is, guys, 204 00:09:45,867 --> 00:09:50,067 Speaker 3: the average lifespan of professional players in New Zealand, I 205 00:09:50,107 --> 00:09:52,587 Speaker 3: think it was three years when I was back back 206 00:09:52,587 --> 00:09:55,067 Speaker 3: when I was playing. It might have grown potentially for 207 00:09:55,107 --> 00:09:57,267 Speaker 3: four or five years, but really, really, you know, that's 208 00:09:57,267 --> 00:10:00,387 Speaker 3: the average life. So if you're thinking, well, some guys 209 00:10:00,387 --> 00:10:02,187 Speaker 3: are going to be here a year, some guys might 210 00:10:02,227 --> 00:10:04,107 Speaker 3: get to be here fifteen years, you know, some guys 211 00:10:04,107 --> 00:10:05,507 Speaker 3: are going to be out of here in a couple 212 00:10:05,547 --> 00:10:10,187 Speaker 3: of months. So it's I think that everyone's aware of it, 213 00:10:10,307 --> 00:10:14,027 Speaker 3: everyone understands it, but actually being able to practically take 214 00:10:14,107 --> 00:10:18,027 Speaker 3: steps to manage that transition. It's not. I don't think 215 00:10:18,067 --> 00:10:19,907 Speaker 3: it's as engaged with as it can be. 216 00:10:21,147 --> 00:10:24,667 Speaker 2: You're a parent. Do you think parents might be reticent 217 00:10:24,987 --> 00:10:29,827 Speaker 2: towards staring their their talented child towards a professional sporting 218 00:10:29,867 --> 00:10:32,547 Speaker 2: career because of what might happen to them beyond it. 219 00:10:34,187 --> 00:10:36,747 Speaker 3: I hope not. I really hope not. I mean, I 220 00:10:37,067 --> 00:10:41,347 Speaker 3: think I think, you know, once again, it's it's really 221 00:10:41,387 --> 00:10:43,147 Speaker 3: what you choose to put in and and and the 222 00:10:43,547 --> 00:10:46,427 Speaker 3: way you engage with anything that matters most, and the 223 00:10:46,467 --> 00:10:49,507 Speaker 3: opportunities that come and the experiences that you get to 224 00:10:49,547 --> 00:10:53,347 Speaker 3: have and hy sport are absolutely incredible. In fact, one 225 00:10:53,387 --> 00:10:55,267 Speaker 3: thing I would sort of love to say is I 226 00:10:55,267 --> 00:10:57,947 Speaker 3: think some of the skills that you acquire through professional 227 00:10:57,987 --> 00:11:00,827 Speaker 3: sport as they aren't recognized out of the game, which 228 00:11:00,827 --> 00:11:04,027 Speaker 3: is a real shame. Like some of the best leaders 229 00:11:04,107 --> 00:11:07,867 Speaker 3: I know and some of the most driven, some of 230 00:11:07,907 --> 00:11:12,147 Speaker 3: the guys that are super diligent and planning the communication 231 00:11:12,267 --> 00:11:16,507 Speaker 3: skills through the roof and are really able to inspire 232 00:11:16,627 --> 00:11:20,467 Speaker 3: and they it's super dedicated and discipline. All these skills 233 00:11:20,507 --> 00:11:23,587 Speaker 3: that in any in any career are really really important. 234 00:11:24,307 --> 00:11:26,307 Speaker 3: You can't build that into a CV, really, you know, 235 00:11:26,547 --> 00:11:28,707 Speaker 3: there's no there's no qualification that you get when you 236 00:11:28,787 --> 00:11:31,227 Speaker 3: leave the game that's recognized out of the game. So 237 00:11:31,747 --> 00:11:34,907 Speaker 3: I think, I mean, I think professional sporad is incredible 238 00:11:35,067 --> 00:11:37,667 Speaker 3: for the opportunities that you get, for the experiences that 239 00:11:37,667 --> 00:11:39,067 Speaker 3: you get to have. So if I was a parent 240 00:11:39,107 --> 00:11:41,227 Speaker 3: with the you know, I am a parent with young girls, 241 00:11:41,227 --> 00:11:43,427 Speaker 3: I would love them to want to choose to delve 242 00:11:43,507 --> 00:11:46,547 Speaker 3: into into professional squad, push themselves into a career, because 243 00:11:46,747 --> 00:11:49,627 Speaker 3: I really do think even if it's not professional, I 244 00:11:49,707 --> 00:11:52,067 Speaker 3: just think being engaged in sport, being a part of 245 00:11:52,107 --> 00:11:54,147 Speaker 3: a team, you know, where you've got this sort of 246 00:11:54,187 --> 00:11:58,067 Speaker 3: mission together. I just think there's so many upsides to 247 00:11:58,147 --> 00:11:59,987 Speaker 3: that that I hope people wouldn't be so hey, stay 248 00:11:59,987 --> 00:12:01,707 Speaker 3: o from it just in case you's successful, because it's 249 00:12:01,707 --> 00:12:02,627 Speaker 3: going to be a hard transition. 250 00:12:03,147 --> 00:12:06,947 Speaker 2: Yeah, fantastic topic. You've given us a terrific thought, Tim, 251 00:12:06,987 --> 00:12:10,307 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for giving us your time, mate, Thanks 252 00:12:10,307 --> 00:12:12,107 Speaker 2: for having me, No, thanks for joining us. Tim. Tim 253 00:12:12,107 --> 00:12:15,787 Speaker 2: Bateman there former top level rugby player for nearly two 254 00:12:15,827 --> 00:12:18,347 Speaker 2: decades with the Crusaders the Hurricanes played in Japan, Captain 255 00:12:18,387 --> 00:12:22,547 Speaker 2: the multi All Blacks. Good player but clearly a very 256 00:12:22,667 --> 00:12:27,467 Speaker 2: very intelligent bloke, articulate eloquent on this topic, which I've 257 00:12:27,547 --> 00:12:34,147 Speaker 2: always found fascinating, the transition and the challenges of transitioning 258 00:12:34,587 --> 00:12:38,227 Speaker 2: from being a professional sportsperson to the next part of 259 00:12:38,267 --> 00:12:42,787 Speaker 2: your life, because we all know that well for most 260 00:12:42,787 --> 00:12:45,347 Speaker 2: sports anyway, there are probably some exceptions where you can 261 00:12:45,387 --> 00:12:50,627 Speaker 2: play longer. But let's look at the contact sports like rugby, rugby, 262 00:12:50,707 --> 00:12:54,907 Speaker 2: league football, netball, hockey. You know, any sport you can 263 00:12:54,907 --> 00:12:59,747 Speaker 2: play professionally which is a physical sport. By the time 264 00:12:59,787 --> 00:13:03,987 Speaker 2: you reach your mid thirties, you're coming towards the end, 265 00:13:04,147 --> 00:13:05,827 Speaker 2: and there is a heck of a lot of life 266 00:13:05,947 --> 00:13:09,827 Speaker 2: left after that for you to negotiate and to navigate. 267 00:13:11,187 --> 00:13:13,507 Speaker 2: You might have some thoughts on this anything that resonated 268 00:13:13,547 --> 00:13:15,587 Speaker 2: with you there From Tim Bateman, I'd be keen to 269 00:13:15,667 --> 00:13:18,547 Speaker 2: kick this around with you, any personal experiences you've had. 270 00:13:19,867 --> 00:13:22,587 Speaker 2: And the question I asked there at the end, it 271 00:13:22,627 --> 00:13:24,907 Speaker 2: was something that was posed to me during the week 272 00:13:25,187 --> 00:13:28,547 Speaker 2: when we were thinking about this topic, is if your 273 00:13:28,987 --> 00:13:33,667 Speaker 2: child is a talented young sportsperson who has started to 274 00:13:33,707 --> 00:13:38,507 Speaker 2: think about the possibility of a life in professional sport, 275 00:13:38,587 --> 00:13:42,467 Speaker 2: would you be in any way reticent about that, in 276 00:13:42,547 --> 00:13:47,747 Speaker 2: any way worried that they will at some point if 277 00:13:47,747 --> 00:13:50,547 Speaker 2: they're successful and go on to be a pro athlete, 278 00:13:50,907 --> 00:13:57,147 Speaker 2: we'll have to transition out the other end into a productive, happy, successful, 279 00:13:57,507 --> 00:13:58,667 Speaker 2: safe life. 280 00:13:59,347 --> 00:14:02,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 281 00:14:02,627 --> 00:14:05,987 Speaker 1: to news Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the 282 00:14:06,027 --> 00:14:07,507 Speaker 1: podcas Asked on iHeartRadio