Just a thought on this side of things.

I know Rugby players have short careers compared to having a normal job. However, with Woody and Higham recently starting a business venture whilst still seemingly being expectected to play 1st team rugby and as such commit/train the same as the rest of the squad. Do you think this is treading on dangerous ground?

They have started a personal fitness company and often advertise classes on their twitter feeds etc, but I wonder how the club would react if they were to pull a muscle etc during their job away from the club. Also, if performances started to dip around the same time as these business' were formed, would the club look to stamp it out.

I know Wire support player's in doing courses to achieve skills that will benefit players post rugby, but owning your own business and actively working outside of your full time profession could create a conflict of interest.


I know back in the past, players had jobs and played, and they still do at part time clubs. I'm generally talking about the new breed of top class, ful time, professional clubs, who invest alot of time/money in their playing staff. Would we be happy if Morley had a flagging business on the side, or briers owned a car dealership!

(I will add that this is more of a general discussion point, there has been nothing to suggest that Paul & Mickey have been affected by this venture, and as the league table suggests, it's quite the contrary! I just used them as an example!)

Firstly, Morley does have a business on the side and decent sized one at that...so what if the stress of all that takes him away from his game?...nonsense.

Secondly, I get trained by Mick and Paul and apart from demonstrating technique, they do nothing more than offer encouragement by shouting or blowing a whistle at you. Nothing that could risk an injury. Players could go to the gym in their own time and get injured,,it happens

I see that Mike Cooper has a business as well, new recruit Chris Hill has a PT business,, John Clarke has in the past. Elsewhere, Peacock runs rugby camps, Burrow has some form of Physio business, Diskin has a property company

It is far more common place than we probably know. Its probably a good thing for them as well. They are young blokes who have a lot of free afternoon, good to get their minds stimulated elsewhere.

Players are encouraged by their clubs to do this. It keeps them occupied and gives them something to move on to when they give up the game.

Players have a not undubstantial amount of free time outside of their commitments to the club. Would not be surprised if it was in their contracts that the club had to approve any employment outside of WWRLFC.

On that basis I am not concerned in any way and it think it's great that players are putting steps in place for when they retire as well as filling their spare time with something productive. I remember reading about Keith Gillespie having a gambling problem that he partly atttributed to the boredom during his free time. Things like this mitigate that risk.

]


Maybe this is why his eye didn't heal too quickly, too much stress can affect recovery times..................................


On a serious note, I'm not condeming the players at all, this was just a conversation that popped up at the pub last night, thought I'd extend it to a wider auduence to get involved.

Wigan have got loads of people with second jobs

I've heard Gaz Hock does white lines (painting them on roads for the council, of course!)
O'Loughlin dead-heads flowers
Richards works for the Irish Tourist Board
George Carmont is Little Eddie Munster's stunt double, for the new Munsters remake
Harrison Hanson is starring in the new Persil ad, on how to remove stubborn stains from shorts after you've cacked yourself, when you see a prop running after you.
Dave Whelan is a debt collector, always hounding his tennants for rent money
and Fadge, Lennigan and Wane are practising their new roles as the 3 wise Monkeys (See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil) when it comes to their teams tackling techniques

Ulsterwire, you're right,they do have to clear it with the club. Paul and Mick have said that they have been very supportive and have helped with getting the best people around them to support them - accountants, graphic designers etc.

I know our players are quite good at self regulating as well. I am aware that players discuss it between themselves and would tell individuals if they felt that it was effecting the ultimate goal - SL!

Let's face it, most RL players will need to work when they're retired, makes sense to start it early. Can't help thinking that the PT market is going to be flooded!

I heard Hock works at vision express.

He should've gone to SpecSavers

waaaheeeeeyyyyyy

Mr Maggoo went into SpecSavers last week
Guess who he bumped into



















everyone

[sizecoat on[/size

Charnley is a prosecuting solicitor, defending was never really going to be an option

I think some of them look like they have other jobs.

Bridge looks like he'd be one of these people who always has shorts with paint on and big dockoff boots with them, regardless of weather.

Grix looks a bit of a stiff, like he'd work for the council.

Currently Mitchell looks like he'd tarmac your drive for a decent price