The top seven businessmen from the current National Rugby League competition have been chosen to run for the inaugural ‘Mortgage Choice / Imminent Wealth Academy Entrepreneurial Player of the Year Award 2008 supported by the RLPA’.
The award, designed to reward a current NRL player with an existing business or business idea that deserves to be recognised, includes a grant worth over $30k that provides mentoring, marketing, cash and share management accounts, financial planning, accounting and much more.
A group of current and former NRL stars who are also successful businessmen (including Steve Menzies and Matt Rodwell) rallied together to create the new award due to their passionate belief in players receiving greater encouragement to build a successful career after sport.
The finalists are, in alphabetical order:
- Nicholas Bradley-Qalilawa, Manly Sea Eagles - Daniel Avakian (fashion)
- Liam Fulton/Bryce Gibbs, West Tigers - Sporty Stuff (personalised printing & direct mailing)
- Chris Lawrence, West Tigers – LWP Health & Fitness (sports coaching)
- Justin Poore, St George Illawarra Dragons - Engine Room Gym (gym)
- Luke Priddis, Penrith Panthers – Pinnacle Advisory Services Group (financial planning)
- Tony Puletua, Penrith Panthers – Noogiez Kids Salon (children’s services, products & facilities)
- Andrew Ryan, Bulldogs - Cityscapes Landscapes (landscape management)
In addition to the need for elite football players to educate themselves in preparation for a life outside football, there is a misconception abut the income many footballers earn. Some players earn $50,000 per annum or less. Hence, being business savvy early on is even more important.
Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies, a Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles legend and a director of Imminent Wealth Academy, said, “I am proud and excited about leaving this legacy, which provides a great opportunity for today’s players. I was able to play with Manly for 16 years because my businesses provided me with grounding and foundation outside the game. Hopefully the award will inspire and help other players to set themselves up career-wise for their long term future”.
“That’s why I helped create the award. It assists players in establishing an ongoing income stream to support them during and after NRL so, hopefully, there is less ‘need’ for players to move on to other clubs or even codes”.
Mortgage Choice Managing Director, Paul Lahiff said, “It is an honour for Mortgage Choice to contribute to, via this important award, heightening the awareness of the necessity of sportspeople transitioning to a business career”.
On 27 August (2:30pm at the American Club in Sydney’s CBD), at an event open to media, the seven finalists will be interviewed by a panel including special guest entrepreneurs Gerry Harvey (Harvey Norman), Albert Bertini (Trivest, and a sponsor of the Rabbitohs), Nici Andronicus (Fresh Baby Organics), Shelley Barrett (ModelCo) as well as Mark Coyne (Former NRL elite player, Suncorp Executive General Manager Workers Compensation), Matt Rodwell (Chief Executive RLPA), Steve Menzies and Paul Lahiff.
The winner will be decided in the days following these interviews, then announced on 4 September at an awards luncheon. Event details to be advised shortly.
Visit http://www.imminentwealth.com.au/NRL_Entrepreneur_Award for further information on the inaugural award.
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