LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Former Melbourne NRL player Ryan Papenhuyzen has expressed uncertainty about his return to professional sports following his exit from the Storm, referring to his future as a "blank canvas."
At 27, Papenhuyzen has no regrets about leaving the final year of his Storm contract and stated that the delay of the rebel rugby competition R360 doesn't influence him since he never planned to compete in sports (besides golf) next year.
"I've always been pretty set on next year as a gap year for sport in general, so the only sport I'll be playing is golf," Papenhuyzen mentioned after participating in the Australian Open pro-am at Royal Melbourne on Wednesday.
He added, "The plan was to always have a year off and try a few different things and see how that goes, so that hasn't changed for me."
Reflecting on life choices, he said, "Life's only short, so if I'm my 80-year-old self looking back now, what's something I regret not doing? It's probably taking a chance and doing something else."
Papenhuyzen continued, "I've been in rugby league for nearly 10 years now and sport for 10 years, so why not pivot and try something else? And there's always an option to come back, which is great."
Expressing personal growth, he stated, "I feel like I'm at a point now where I've really progressed as a human and athletically as well, but there's more things I want to achieve in life and why not have a punt at that now?"
When asked if he envisions donning his footy boots again, he simply replied no.