Queensland Reds lock Cadeyrn Neville’s dedication to preparing for life after Rugby is a shining example to his contemporaries, as he looks to maximise his spare time by setting up a number of different alternatives for his career after retirement
Away from Rugby, Cadeyrn continues to study with RUPA Education Partner Kaplan Professional after he was awarded an academic scholarship in September 2014.
“I’m doing a Diploma of Financial Planning,” he explains. “The flexibility that the programme allows through Kaplan has really helped me a lot as throughout the Super Rugby season I probably wasn’t as applied as I could’ve been. Being able to switch it on enough to be able to keep going with the units is good, and I’m half way through it now; the online nature of it means that the work is all there for you to do at a time that suits you.”
In general, Neville believes it is important to maximise opportunities to study while playing Rugby so to be as well prepared as possible for when it comes to a close.
“I have tried to use my time as a player as best as I can in terms of doing bits of study and obtaining knowledge in numerous areas and fields, which is quite good as it means you can have a look at a number of different careers post-Rugby and decide which fits best as opposed to pigeon-holing yourself too early.”
27 year old Neville, who has plenty of years of Rugby ahead of him before having to contemplate that next career move, is bucking the trend of Australian players heading overseas. The in-demand lock is about to begin his first Super Rugby season at the Reds after four years and nearly a half century of Super Rugby caps in Melbourne with the Rebels.
“After a few years in Melbourne I was looking for a way to keep progressing in the game, and I saw the set up and opportunity at the Reds as a good way to keep doing that,” he explains, when I ask him why he chose to leave the Rebels.
“I haven’t really seriously considered looking overseas yet; I’ve heard things from your management from time to time, but it was always my plan to keep playing my Rugby here in Australia at the moment.”
It’s a brave move from Cadeyrn, who will compete with (currently injured) Kane Douglas, Ben Matwijow, Rob Simmons and Lukhan Tui for a spot in the Reds’ second row. The move becomes even braver when you realise that he hadn’t played a single match alongside any of his new teammates, courtesy of his later-than-usual arrival into Rugby, until he and former Rebels Captain Scott Higginbotham arrived together to play for Brisbane City in the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC).
“I knew a handful of guys from Wallabies camps, but there were definitely a lot of new people to meet!” Neville laughs. “To be honest, that’s probably why coming up for the NRC was so beneficial; nearly half of the (Reds) side were in and around the Brisbane City squad, and I got to know them well on and off the field before pre-season started with the Reds.”
A new environment means a fresh pre-season routine under the direction of a different coaching staff and Neville says he’s enjoying the change of scenery, if not intensity.
“It’s a given that you are going to be worked pretty much as hard as possible in pre-season no matter which Club you’re at,” he explains. “I’ve found the structure here so far really good and I’ve been able to train as hard as I can every single session of the pre-season, which gives me a lot of confidence that I should be near my best as we start approaching games.
“The weather has been pretty different; Melbourne actually gets really hot at this time of year as well, but up here you’ve got a lot more humidity to deal with. I’ve walked off the pitch after a couple of sessions and my boots are so wet you’d think it’s been raining, but you get used to it and you just know that it’s going to be hot whether you’re training or you’re going to get your groceries!”
The Reds play two pre-season fixtures prior to their Round One Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs in Sydney, hosting both the Crusaders and Brumbies in Brisbane at a ground where Neville has a great record from eight appearances for three different teams.
“It’s pretty exciting to have two pre-season clashes at Ballymore; I’m trying to keep my focus on all the training that needs to get done before the games, but I am looking forward to it. Throughout the NRC this year, and even playing there last year with the Melbourne Rising and in a trial game for the Rebels, I actually haven’t lost a game there so it’s a venue I like to play at!”
Cadeyrn is happy to admit he has a fairly laidback personality, and his new city seems an appropriate place for the towering former Manly Marlin to put down roots.
“Brisbane is pretty cruisy; the city suits my laidback personality and there’s a lot of outdoor recreational pursuits not too far away,” he says. “Moving up somewhere warmer in the middle of a Melbourne winter was a nice change, and there are some of the best beaches going around within an hour’s drive in each direction. There’s also a lot of four-wheel driving which I haven’t even scratched the surface of yet, so I think it is a good fit.”
Cadeyrn’s favourite:
•Holiday destination: Las Vegas
•Movie: No Country For Old Men
•Rugby player: Jonah Lomu
•Pre-match meal: Sandwich
•Song before a game: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica (listen here)
You can follow Cadeyrn on Instagram here.
