Seven players across the Sharks NRL and NRLW squads recently completed their Certificate 3 in Sports Coaching, to further their skills and knowledge as they look ahead to potential employment pathways beyond their on-field careers.
Wade Graham, Nicho Hynes, Matt Moylan, Kade Dykes, Sione Katoa, Maddie Studdon and Brooke Anderson, took part in the course facilitated by John Suttle and Sarah Nicholson from Synergy Central National, where they gained knowledge in key areas such as injury management, CPR, communication skills and sport-specific screening.
“With the Cert 3 in sports coaching, it’s ten units of competency, but with RPL [recognition and prior learning] we look at the elite athlete’s experience, their knowledge, their skills and they will only have to complete those units where they wouldn’t already have those skills and knowledge,” Suttle explained.
“We provide gap training, so they don’t have to do the whole course. Usually, if it wasn’t RPL they would be doing it over 12 months.”
With prior experience mentoring young players within the Shark’s Junior Pathway System and recently assisting at NRLW training sessions, Hynes and Graham have set their sights on a future transition into coaching roles once their playing days come to an end.
“I have big aspirations to be a coach one day,” Hynes said. “I love footy, and I want to give back to Rugby League, so coaching is something I have a big dream to do.
“In the preseason I was doing stuff with young halves, fullbacks and hookers all through the club, and I really enjoyed that.”
“I have played footy my whole life, it’s what I know, so I’d like to think that I could give some of that knowledge back, especially to the next generation,” Graham added.
“I have started working with the girls, and the elite academy with the club already, so I think it’s something I’m definitely going to look more into.”
Building on his experience as the head coach of the Shark's Junior Ungah Academy, Moylan was also quick to embrace the opportunity to enhance his coaching skills and continue to assist in the development of the next generation.
“Obviously we have a good opportunity to have access to do the course. I think while we can, we should make the most of it,” Moylan said.
“I did the coaching clinic with the junior kids at the start of the year, and I just wanted to get a bit more knowledge about it all.
“It’s rewarding to be able to take a little bit of time out of my day to give back to them.”
Recognising the unpredictability and short-term nature of their Rugby League careers, the players are aware of the importance of engaging in off-field career development and exploring potential job prospects post-footy, whilst still playing.
“Obviously I’m at the back end of my career and I need to get some further education to open the options when I transition out of the game,” Graham said.
“Getting this coaching certificate and some more qualifications in that area just gives me another avenue to explore.”
“You just never know when your rugby league career could be over and you need something to fall back on,” Hynes added.
“Injuries happen, you might not get a contract at some stage and form plays a part in that, so I think it’s important to have a plan B or C.”
The Sports Coaching course is just one of many educational opportunities arranged by Shark’s NRL Education and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator, Jeff Robson, who continues to support players in obtaining education credentials and acquiring the necessary skills, to ensure a seamless transition out of the game.
