As students approach their final school years, they often encounter a significant question.
"What are you going to do next?"
This query can be intimidating, particularly for those still discovering their identities and future aspirations.
Now, consider grappling with that same question in your late 30s after dedicating most of your life to professional athletics, believing you had already settled on your path.
For players in the NRL, retirement can present one of the most daunting challenges they will face.
While fans cheer for their favorite players each week and witness them eventually leave the field, the realities following that last game remain largely unknown to outsiders.
The transition from rugby league to life after the sport has garnered increased attention from both the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA).
Efforts have been made to implement education, career development, and wellness programs to support players as they embark on this new phase.
On The Boardroom Podcast, former NRL stars Ryan Hoffman and Chad Townsend shared their insights regarding the often-overlooked realities of retirement and the assistance available to departing athletes.
Hoffman reflected on how his preparation for life beyond rugby league began long before his final match.
"The one thing I remember my Dad always telling me is that you can't play Rugby League forever," Hoffman stated.