I'm sure that there is a much larger problem similar to this with football players. All chasing glory and coming away eventually not reaching the heights they wanted to and finding themselves on the employment scrap heap with very little cash behind them.

While Its good of clubs to think of their players when it becomes time to retire and offer courses etc.... I don't think it should be expected of them. Surely players should hold some responsibility to ensure they have some form of back up for when their career finishes. After all they can't all be coaches or sky pundits. It's not even like RL is a sport where you are guaranteed to come away with it with plenty of cash in the bank.

Mike has a good idea regarding the junior players. However to expect them all to be of a intellectual level to be able to complete a higher educational course be it college or uni may be a sticking point.

The academy needs to have academic staff to ensure that the players as well as training for Rugby complete qualifications as well.

Or a link with a local college .... which I think we already have?

We do have a link with Salford College but not all of the Salford Academy players attend there for some reason, we also have a link with the university, perhaps our more snior players should be exploiting this link and doing foundation degrees in areas like media, covering journalism, radio and TV, or as Malc has done do some sort of trade occupation at Salford College on the Adult learning programme.

A degree is only a pass to a job at Starbucks these days. With the fitness and nutrition knowledge rugby league players must build up then becoming a personal trainer is a viable route.

Bolloc[size=1.[/sizeks.

(apologies for the profanities but I hoenstly can't think of a more appropriate response).

Of course with less luck it might be McDonald's instead.

as an employer (now retired) - it all depends on what your degree is in!

Get a degree in a numerate subject is my advice to anyone that cares to listen!

I suggest you check out the average earnings of people with a degree attained in the last 10 years to those without one. Now, unless Starbucks are a far more generous company than I've previously perceived, your statement is a little off the mark I'm afraid.

As for personal training. Well, let's ask a personal trainer.

That would be me then. They'd be lucky to earn 18k per annum as a PT. A very saturated industry at the moment. There are some gyms that almost have as many PT's as clients!

Yes, there was a time (more than a decade ago) when a degree seemed to correlate well with earnings, but that has been diminished by 1) Labour's 50% target - too high, 2) dumbing down - the first year of most degrees is now spent on "remedial"/ie basic teaching, and 3) the massive pool of cheap graduates in India and now China bringing global wages down. The student debt (£10-20k), foregone earnings (3 years = £45k ish) and parents/state contributions (£10-20k) make the decision a far less simple one nowadays IMO. You only have to listen to recent graduates how hard it is now.

I do care to listen, BF, but I wouldn't suggest that to people who genuinely have difficulty with numbers, but excel in other areas: a third class in a numerate degree would put you out of the running for a post in, say, a legal company, or even an accountancy company, large enough to run a graduate programme, although a second in history, or media studies, or any of those subjects generally ridiculed, would at least get you a place on a recruitment day.

People should play to their strengths. To be a top flight rugby player requires a good brain that can assess a fast changing situation and react accordingly. In real time, as computer folk say. It's another form of intelligence (though not necessarily measured in a numerate degree). Scott should consider this, if he hasn't already, and make sure it's always on a cv.

Me, I've a masters degree (in a numerate subject) and, though fit and strong in my youth, played lots of rugby league and would have loved more than anything to put on the red jersey with the big S on the left breast, would never have been good enough - absolutely no flair for the game. So I do sums for a living instead. Some consolation, eh?

At the risk of repeating myself - bolloc[size=1.[/sizeks.

Vin - totally agree - I should have added "if all else is equal" get a degree in a numerate subject - me I'm a Chemist by training but have nver worked in Chemistry, however the scientfic nature of the degree (and masters) has always stood me in good stead, so I just spoke from experience (I really wanted to be a pilot but I'm colour blind so could never get the medical for a commercial licence - we all have to cope with the pack we're dealt!)

a colour blind chemist could create a few problems

Reasoned and conclusive, well done.

I thought so.




Seriously though, the part of your post I quoted is utter, utter garbage.

I hope that you would realise that and, if not, there's little point arguing over it with you.

I don't see how this is a story. All players know they have a finite playing career and should make provision for when they retire. These guys have been on big salaries and there's no reason why they can't put away for a rainy day like anyone else.

Scanners - the point is this is NOT retiremement - read the story, you have someone who has known nothing other than RL who loses his job - still a way short of retirement age - how many people have been able to put enough away for that rainy day?

The comment re. degrees "not being worthwhile" does not tie in with average earnings nor success in career progression as measured by several neutral agencies in the last decade. It seems more an excuse for someone unwilling to face the result of their actions.

Scott faces the same issues that so many workers have faced in the last 300 years. (Remember handloom weavers anyone?) He really needs to talk to some advisor (not an automatic right at a Job Centre Plus). I would suggest Connexions as they do have a duty for more than teenagers. There are several council initiatives (often called Employment Support ... or ...Work Schemes) which can get into some training. Learn Direct may be a further avenue.

As part of my employment I can not further answer the above question. All computer use is checked in case I do.

you best tell connexions that, In Bolton they will only deal with upto 19 year olds at a pinch normally 18 is the age they stop dealing with people, I speak from experience having seen a job my son was interested in they had advertised but no age limit on, he sent for details and got an email back saying as he is 20 he is too old to be dealing with connexions.

Naylor retired from playing didn't he? Pro players in the full time SL era will have been on upwards of £50k pre salary cap. Naylor had plenty of sucess that would have brought bonuses on top.
He also had a coaching job at an SL club. He's not going to be on his uppers is he? Nothing to stop him re-training at all if he doesn't get a job back in the game. Non story.

I surpose its a problem for every sportsperson when their career is over what to do next? in a ideal world they would probably do a bit of college work or night school or whatever to get a trade in between playing and training and mooching around looking for stuff to keep them entertained till the next match, personally i think keeping the mind sharp will only benefit the player and the team they play in.

This is why its so important the players realise what chance because of their ability to perform with a rugby ball they have been given, i presume the club helps the players if they enquire about what to do with their life after the career is over, if they dont then i think it would be a good idea to do that, i dont mean hand holding going to college with them just get the information and the details and support them if they needed.

Showing that bit of "loyalty" to the player and support might even get that extra 2% out of them now on the field and also might allow the club to use their services when they retire in supporters meeting ect.

I see it as a two way street thats for sure.

Yes, apologies re Connexions ... just checked their sites. The service was set up when I as a teacher and had some responsibility as part of a "Careers Team" ... we were told Connexions were for all ... a matter reiterated in training in me new "job" last August.

So once you are 19, you are your own.

Politicians

oops I'm in purdah.

"Age discrimination law means that many services now have to be available to anyone, no matter what their age. However, Connexions is an “age restricted” service because of our duty to work with young people aged 13-19 or up to 25 with a disability or learning difficulty.* If you do not fall into this group and you are looking for help in finding a job, please contact your nearest Job Centre Plus.
* The Learning & Skills Act 2000, section 114"

I only wish I could comment.

The only government sponsored ‘help’ for over 25s is Flexible New Deal, which you can only get on if you’ve claimed unemployment benefit for 18 months. Even then, the programme is a farce. Those on it are sent to an organisation such as [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A4eA4e[/url, who themselves don’t have the capabilities to get you into a decent job or training.