Often people walk into the pub I work at – the once infamous Commercial Hotel, which was at one stage the fourth most violent pub in New South Wales and is now arguably Dubbo’s best place to get a feed – and double take when they see me behind the bar pulling a beer.
“You managing here now?” some ask.
“Nope.”
“Are you security?”
Sometimes I’ll joke and say I’m the part owner (the pub has recently been sold and will exchange next month).
One of my cousins walked in on a Saturday night at around 10pm. Looking confused, he asked me if I’m now working as a barman.
My response: “Well they haven’t signed me up to be a bloody model have they!?”
In fact, his little sister, also my cousin, who is not yet 18, works in the restaurant. From playing with and against the world’s best, to working with your little underage cousin who you used to babysit, at a pub in Dubbo.
Many people can’t fathom that a bloke who has had a somewhat successful rugby career with ten seasons as a professional, earned a Wallaby cap (not plural), and won a Super Rugby title is now working part-time as a barman.
And herein lies a problem that many professional athletes may find themselves facing.
Some would be somewhat embarrassed by finding themselves in this position. That they are some sort of failure. Often professional athletes are placed on an unnecessary podium (there’s another article in that) by members of the public and their peers, not because of who they are, but because of what they are or, in my situation, were.
From this grows a sense of entitlement and an unhealthy dose of pride, the idea that once our careers are finished we are above certain positions or roles that many members of the general public accept without giving it any consideration.
Having a successful career as a professional athlete, while nice, doesn’t equate to a free ride in life afterwards. It would have given you exposure to a network of people and opportunities that would be the envy of many, which you hopefully should have made the most of, but it doesn’t equate to a guaranteed position higher than anyone else within society.
You are not guaranteed a role as middle manager, foreman or head of a department. You have to earn those, much like you had to earn that successful career.
Once we understand and accept this, then the humiliation that some find themselves facing when becoming just another face in the crowd will be eradicated.
For me, working at the pub has been a great way to network and catch up with people I otherwise wouldn’t do if I was tucked away in an office or on a shovel, many of whom I haven’t seen in years. Working these shifts means I’m staying off the beers myself and that there is plenty of time to work on my own exciting project I’ve got in the pipeline.
Often a having a job is a far better option than a ‘career’ as the hours are a lot more flexible and it allows you to ‘burn the boats’ as you pursue other passions, dreams or goals. (There’s another post in that too!)
If you do find yourself looking for a feed in Dubbo, pop in and say hello. I highly recommend the ribs!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Interesting article Beau, enjoyed this one. I remember reading something similar from Matt Dunning who wound up working in commercial real estate – he’s also lost a ton of weight, about 30-35kg from the photo – he said something along the lines of being a former wallaby might open a few doors that otherwise wouldn’t open but you don’t just get the deal because you once played, you still gotta work for it. The transition from public sporting life to private sporting life for those players not fortunate enough to get signed on a plum media deal is undoubtedly extremely difficult – congratulations for what it’s worth for approaching it with a great attitude.
Mike Cramb
Guest
Great article Beau. Honest and empathetic. One of my favourite.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
What I wanted to say would have been moderated but it is something you can do to yourself.
Beau Robinson
Expert
I'm a big believer in personal growth, but I think the term is bandied around too much without those preaching actually practicing.
Beau Robinson
Expert
Yeah I'll address that in the next one mate, quite a relevant point.
Beau Robinson
Expert
They do a pretty good job in my opinion mate. But it comes down to the individual. "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"
Beau Robinson
Expert
Paul get's it!!! Thanks Paul
Beau Robinson
Expert
Wait for the next article my friend, it's the opposite of that.
Beau Robinson
Expert
Remind me about that in the future and I'll do an article on the negatives and positives of alcohol, because there are both!
Beau Robinson
Expert
Thanks the one. Was talking to the big guy yesterday actually!
Beau Robinson
Expert
My next article will touch on this aspect actually. It's something very few, unlike yourself, actually consider. Appreciate your support.
Beau Robinson
Expert
Thanks for your kind words and great to hear you are enjoying the podcasts
Beau Robinson
Expert
Sounds good mate, look forward to it
Beau Robinson
Expert
Similarities between pro athletes and military are huge mate. So different to anything else in my opinion. Glad you enjoyed it!
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Thanks for that, you seem to be an old fashioned rugby man, in a good way. Are you still having a run with the locals?
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
It goes well. Great news! Just in time to see the UQ / Taylor Bridge Bull Sharks u 9 Black surge towards the business end of the season!
concerned supporter
Guest
Andrew, you talk about Kurtly Beale and his press releases. Read this recent one by Andrew Hore about Daryl Gibson and Super Rugby. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/waratahs/waratahs-ceo-andrew-hore-opens-up-on-the-future-of-daryl-gibson-and-super-rugby-20180223-h0wkb3.html"" A conglomerate of cliches,beating around the bush,and corporate speak. He said a lot but does he really mean it, or is he just putting on a show for the Masses?
Blessing
Roar Rookie
That is very true indeed. I have found this with some English people when they ask what you do for a living. You can see it in their eyes. You can see them calculate how much respect they can give you. It's really strange and still confuses me, I always feel like saying what has it got to do with anything? Most of the time, I say that I am unemployed. Behind the double meanings, there is always a suspicion that the person asking is looking to shape how they should perceive you. I don't think I have ever asked anyone what they do for a living, doesn't interest me. Your new job sounds like fun and I would drop in if I find myself in the neighbourhood. I have family in Queensland, but if my travels lead me to your neck of the woods, I'd happily pop in. It would be wonderful to talk rugby with someone who has been there and got the jumper.
Who
Roar Rookie
Refreshing article and perspective, Beau. No rush on these things, but in a few years time, with that sort of attitude, I want to see you on the board of Rugby Australia... I don't imagine you have the answers to everything, but your attitude shows your not so arrogant as to think you do have those answers, or so arrogant as to claim you have them all. Unlike the infallible leaders we currently have on the board... Rugby's all the better for having bloke's like you involved.
Andrew
Roar Guru
Fantastic article and really interesting viewpoint. Compare this with the absolute 'barely more than a press release' puff piece that Kurtley Beale "wrote" last week, in which he basically said absolutely nothing at all (like 99% of modern media-trained athlete-robots) and give me this any time!