Essendon duo David Myers and Travis Colyer have played nearly 200 AFL games between them, but they are aware that a career in football can’t last forever.
Speaking at the launch of the club’s exciting new partnership with RMIT, the players agreed that creating pathways for players outside of football is essential.
Both players are studying business degrees with the university and Myers explained that his journey through study had been a long one.
“I had done a little bit of uni before I got drafted and then put it on hold while I settled in Melbourne and found my feet,” Myers said.
“I tried to go on site to a couple of universities and attend in person, but it was just too hard with our schedule being all over the shop.”
Myers then discovered RMIT’s online option and said having flexible pathways is a crucial advantage for players once their playing careers end.
“That’s been the best way for me to be able to study in and around trying to play footy,” he said.
“It’s something that’s always been pretty important to me and I’m very much in a forward focus on what I do when I finish.
“I’m turning 29 this year, so I’m not getting any younger and I’ve always had to think about it.”
Colyer said having the opportunity to study while playing has been a big benefit to him.
“I think it’s essential just to be able to switch off mentally,” Colyer said.
“For me to be able to get out and have an understanding of what it is like out there (outside of football) is great, because we are in a closed environment.”
The speedy Bomber said the new partnership would help both organisations put their best foot forward.
“They’re going to be really willing to open the doors to us and likewise with them coming out to the footy club,” he said.
“Not only me working with them, but having the opportunity to get their best students into our sports science area to be able to help us better as players is fantastic.”
