Q & A with Scott Geddes, NRL player with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Q - How did you come to play NRL?
A - I started out playing juniors in Moss Vale with Nathan Hindmarsh. Parramatta scouts Kevin Wise and Daniel Anderson identified me, brought me up to Sydney, put me with a local family and placed me at Patrician Brothers Fairfield.
I played SG Ball and Flegg at Parra then moved to St George for 3 years playing in the NSW u17s and 19s. In 2001 Souths re-entered the competition and I was excited to be a part of the NRL team on this memorable occasion.
Q - You would have seen a lot of change at Souths since then?
A - For sure! I remember on my first day I banged my head by walking straight into the sloping, teetering roof of the old training sheds. The grounds and facilities have certainly gone from the doghouse to the penthouse.
Q - What are your top two goals on the field this year?
A - To play in the finals and to play consistent footy.
Q - What has been the highlight of your career to date?
A - Definitely my debut. It was Souths’ first win back in the competition, so that was a big thing. Also getting to captain the team in 2008 was a real honour.
Q - As well as playing full time you have completed studies in fitness and set up your own personal training business. What is your business called and how did you get that started?
A - First Grade Fitness (firstgradefitness.com.au) is the name of my business and it has been running since 2009. I started out training a couple of mates, and word has spread since then, so I now run four group sessions a week.
FGF grew out of a long-held interest in fitness; I have always done a bit of personal training on the side. One day I was down at the park with a friend and saw a group of people training. To be honest I noticed how bad the training was and thought I could do a better job.
Q - What's the most rewarding part of your work?
A - When I see people get results. One client lost 50kilos; it was great to see how stoked he was and how much his life changed.
Also, it's more than just a training class, it’s about mateship. The members of FGF have become mates so for them it’s a social outing as much as a physical activity, and I think that is an important part.
Q - How do you juggle your business and your NRL training?
A - It takes determination, commitment and I have to be really organised.
Q - Is it worth it?
A - Having this business in place sets my mind at ease about what the future will bring after footy.
Q - How has the game’s NRL/RLPA Education and Welfare program helped you prepare for life after footy?
A - The NRL education program has been great. The funding helped put me through the personal training course back in 2006 and has helped me keep up to date with different trends and developments in the industry ever since. Whilst the funding was a really big help, the most valuable thing for me has been business and career advice and guidance along the way.
Q - What are your aspirations for your career after NRL?
A - I'd like to franchise my business in the future and move into the corporate sector - to train staff and help them with their worklife balance.
To find out more or to get involved, you can visit Scott's website here
The NRL/RLPA Welfare and Education Program actively supports players in their role as professionals athletes and prepares them for life away from the game. Players are aware that the average lifespan of an NRL career is very short, and they value the support provided to assist them to achieve vocational goals off the field.
The “No Work, No Study = No Play” policy for all players in the Toyota Cup competition is a positive one that ensures all players have career plans they can continue with after their NYC experience should they not progress to the NRL.
For those players fortunate enough to become full time professional athletes they are further supported by full time Career Counselors/Education and Welfare Managers at their clubs and from the NRL. The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NRL and RLPA (players association) ensures that a minimum level of support for these athletes is maintained and a pool of money is allocated towards education expenses.
Apprentice Employers Wanted
In February this year the NRL/RPLA and NSW State Training Services (STS) of the NSW Department of Education and Communities launched the groundbreaking and inaugural pilot initiative “Beyond the Tryline”, which offers Toyota Cup and NRL players exclusive access to flexible apprenticeships. The ultimate outcome of the program is to encourage young men within the game to enter into, continue and complete their chosen trade with a view to a more secure future after football. We all know how challenging it is for players to prepare for life after footy when their circumstances are impacted by increased training and playing commitments of the NRL.
This arrangement relies on the employer and employee having a strong relationship with good communication between them and the NRL club that he plays for, and the exciting part is that this means they can remain together in a flexible arrangement suitable for all parties.
We are currently seeking apprentice employers in a number of areas including:
• Automotive Electrician • Butcher • Cabinetmaker • Communications Linesperson • Electrician
• Landscape Gardener • Baker • Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic • Screen Printer
• Sheetmetal Worker • Signwriter • Tree Surgeon plus more
If you can help or would like further information please contact Tony McFadyen, (02) 9359 8712.
