On Tuesday 2nd August 2016, several NRL Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were invited to attend a workshop facilitated and delivered by the NRL's Jane Lowder and Joe Galuvao with support from the MWSE Wellbeing and Education Team.
The 'Play on!' workshop was focused on players aged 27 and over, and their partners or mates, including those players who have recently transitioned into a new career. Over the past five years, the NRL have gathered feedback from guys who had transitioned from NRL careers including partner feedback, and taken on their advice to create this fantastic event.
The Play on! workshop was all about reducing stress and anxiety, including supporting each other when it came to transitioning into the next chapter of life after footy. The players that attended had an opportunity to hear from the panel of ex-NRL players George Rose, Mark Bryant, Joe Galuvao and Anthony Quinn about their experiences when they transitioned from football into another career.
Maybelle Galuvao and Heidi Bryant also spoke about their experiences, providing both advice and support to all players and partners in the room.
The workshop included challenges that focused on communicating clearly, being heard and active listening, demonstrated through the activities, that this is an important factor when planning and starting your transition.
Players identified their 'love languages' and learnt how this is key in understanding, supporting and loving each other through transition, by being mindful in how they show gratitude to one another.
Jane Lowder from the NRL spoke about the importance of recognising and naming the feelings as they arise, and continue to talk to your partner about how you're feeling. The players were encouraged to maximise opportunities and continue to tap into NRL transition program services including the Wellbeing and Education team at the Club.
Feedback was positive from the workshop, showing that 60 per cent of players felt less stressed and anxious about the future after football.
MWSE Wellbeing and Education team would like to thank Jane Lowder, Joe and Maybelle Galuvao, Mark and Heidi Bryant, George Rose and Anthony Quinn for facilitating and attending the event.