8 Reasons Why Athletes Go Pro

Of all the kids that have the dream to be an NRL player, who actually makes it?

Before we delve into this question, let me say that those that ‘make it’ are some of the toughest and bravest people in our society. The sport is widely regarded as the most combative team sport of all.

Article By A Big Supporter And Inspiration For RealMOVEMENTProject - Rohan Smith

To get out on the field in front of thousands of fans and many more on television takes courage in every sport. But to do it in a sport where the physical battle - the collisions, the hits and the intensity - is so high, takes a certain type of character. Of course, some are tougher than others. It is really hard to single out the bravest of them all, but Isaac De Gois, Nathan Friend, Matt Hilder and Kurt Gidley would be at the top of the pile of the guys that I have come across. But everyone that gets out there on the NRL battle field, has a level of bravery that most struggle to comprehend.

To go with the toughness and courage, there is a high standard of athletic ability required to make the NRL. There are some who wouldn’t be described as powerful, but they would be surviving on extreme levels of Rugby League conditioning and competitiveness. In the most part players are getting bigger, stronger and more athletic every year.

There are many types of NRL player.

1. Supreme Talent

Perhaps born ready to be an NRL player (or NFL, AFL, Rugby Union player, boxer). See: Jarryd Hayne, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Anthony Mundine and Michael Jennings.

These guys are the greatest athletes of our game and some of the greatest athletes in Australian sporting history.

They were always going to make the big time – they didn’t need much coaching, teaching, training - and can transfer their skills across different codes seamlessly. They can thank their parents and childhoods (often tough ones build warriors) – genetics can be an amazing thing! Choose wisely.

2. Good Talent But A Supreme Work Ethic

Mitchell Pearce comes to mind: a super-talented young player, debuted at 17 and never played a lower grade game since; a good athlete but not in the category of those above.

This guy has worked hard on his game and his athletic ability throughout his junior footy. Many of our State of Origin players are in this category. The Morris Twins were talented young players, but had to work hard to get to the level they are at today.

3. Exceptional Coaching & Physical Preparation

Many of those that survive the NRL long enough to play 100+ league games have generally been in systems that develop them. The bulk of NRL players would not have made it or stayed in the NRL if it wasn’t for the quality programs of development and training that exist throughout much of the NRL competition. These guys liked footy growing up and showed talent but had to work hard to get there.

Players such as Cooper Cronk and Nathan Friend weren’t destined to be long time NRL players, but their commitment towards excellence within a quality system has allowed them to have the successful careers that they have.

Some systems have produced so many quality players that they end up helping other clubs, because they can’t keep them all.

Adam Head

4. Dedication

Must be either a good footballer or a good athlete. Then they apply their top notch work ethic and dedication in order to make the NRL. There would be a handful of these guys in every club. They stuck at it, worked hard and made massive improvements to their game. Most of their improvement down to dedication rather than whoever may have been helping them.

5. A Change of Scenery

Jake Granville was ok, then he went the Cowboys! Daniel Tupou was unwanted at the Eels and couldn’t break into the U20’s. He went to the Roosters, got some love and attention and has never played a lower grade game since he debuted. Being in a place where the Coaching Staff show trust, faith and confidence in you is vital.

6. Not Being a Star at 15

Without knowing any stats, I would suggest that there is a low percentage of players who were dominant at 15 or 16 and who then blossomed into long term NRL stars. Growth spurts usually account for such dominance at an early age and when the others catch up the star stops shining.

7. Right Place, Right Time

There are plenty of players that chase the dream and just happen to be in the right place to realize it. A team that has plenty of injuries in one position for example. Or 2nd tier salary cap pressure doesn’t allow for a player on $50,000 to play, so someone on less than that gets an opportunity he might not otherwise.

There are lots of players that have played 1-10 NRL games. For many of these guys, that is a dream realised with little regret.

8. Persistence Pays Off

Recently Nathan Ross made his debut for the Newcastle Knights. At 26 years of age this is a great achievement. Jake Marketo is another. He made his debut in 2010, was in the NRL wilderness for a few years but resurfaced and was a regular member of the Dragons NRL team this season. Not letting go of your dream. In this industry there is obviously a life span, but within reason only one person can stop you from chasing your dream.

So there’s your blueprint to make it or help your athletes get there!

If you ask most NRL players if they dreamt about being an NRL Player when they were younger – most would say yes! This comes back to the theory that ‘you become what you think about’. How many of these kids were encouraged to chase that dream?

Plenty of parents are encouraging those dreams in the modern era as there is big money to be made for the family. Without the dream of being an NRL player you are very unlikely to become one, and even less likely to stay one.

Be Tough. Think Big.