PLAYERS PERSPECTIVE WITH ANDY ELLIS
2013 ITM CUP PLAYER OF YEAR
NDY ELLIS IS AN ABSOLUTE I realise that it provided me with good After finding out I didn’t make the team ACHARACTER OF THE GAME. AN discipline and work ethic. It made me I was driving home absolutely gutted AWARD WINNING LANDSCAPE appreciate that there were no short cuts and I pulled my car over and thought GARDENER, A FORMER MORNING RADIO - you simply have to work pretty hard. to myself, I have a decision to make HOST AND BAND MEMBER, A FATHER When you decide to throw everything here, will I stay positive and fight hard AND HUSBAND WHO HAS RACKED UP at something, or really want to achieve for my goals, or will I throw the towel OVER 150 SUPER RUGBY MATCHES a goal it is important to write down in and focus on something else? I will FOR THE CRUSADERS. WE CATCH UP what that commitment looks like. Ask give it everything I’ve got and have no WITH THE CANTERBURY RUGBY ICON yourself how motivated am I to do it? regrets. I couldn’t control the selection AND FORMER ALL BLACK HALFBACK Does it mean I am up earlier to train? By but I could control my attitude. I had BEFORE HE HEADS BACK TO JAPAN FOR writing it down you can’t escape from the decision what my attitude was TWO MORE SEASONS WITH THE KOBE your plan – you can’t hide from it. This going to be, so I really embraced the STEELERS TO SHARE WHAT HE HAS is slightly different from the idea of challenged, worked really hard and had LEARNED IN HIS 13 YEARS PLAYING choosing something when I was young no regrets. By doing this, I knew I had RUGBY IN NEW ZEALAND. and my parents making me stick to it. done everything in my control and would When I got to an age where I really knew see where it would lead. Off the back of ON COMMITMENT what I wanted then I was able to set that I got a few opportunities. I had the I was lucky that I grew up in a positive goals, and write down what the process right coaches at the right games and got environment, but my parents were into looked like. my chance. commitment. If I ever decided I was I ended up playing for the teams I had going to give something a go, I had to COPING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT dreamed of playing for and although in give it a bloody good go and be highly I think as a young player it is tough reality it wasn’t always a smooth run committed. because you work hard for certain there were some incredible moments. I remember that I decided I wanted to things and they don’t always go how try and learn the piano, so I ended up you want them to. One of the biggest ON PERSPECTIVE doing it for four years! I soon learned disappointments for me was missing out I always tried to put things in that I had to be careful what I decided to on the Canterbury U19 team. I thought perspective and my wife was really have a crack at because Mum and Dad if I can’t make it to the U19 team then I supportive in that. When I didn’t were going to make me stick at it. Now can’t make it beyond that. get back in the All Blacks I still had
80 | NZ RUGBY WORLD | APRIL/MAY 2016 other wonderful teams to play It is a difficult when you don’t know in so concentrated on that. It is when your career is going to end important to make peace with and that could be through injury or the outcomes out of your control deselection which are out of your and focus on the positives and control so you have to be prepared. appreciate the things you have. As a player you do a lot of With the All Blacks I never got a promotional events which can help clean run. When you’re young if you with your networking for future get injured or are not selected it is careers. I have got interests in going to be tough to take and you many areas so it is quite exciting. will watch your team mates, but I have always tried to say yes to you have to use that as motivation. opportunities I have been given You have got a genuine choice – you because I know they have been able can either work really hard to come to open some doors. I enjoy learning back and be a better player or you ANDY ELLIS IN 2006 WITH about new things, experiencing new can give up. If you choose the first THE DAVE GALLAHER TROPHY things and meeting different people. FRANCE V NEW ZEALAND option you have no regrets and then it makes it easier to be a peace with It would enable me to thrive more in ON HIS JOURNEY yourself. This certainly comes with training because I was mentally in It is important to enjoy the social experience and age. the zone when I was at training. aspect with rugby because the When I was doing landscaping for friendships and connections are one garden shows I would finish training of the things I will take away from after doing work on’s and then go rugby. You are always surrounded and do landscaping work for the with people from different shows. When you are training environments which is stimulating you have to give it everything that and as a player you know it is is how you become the best you not forever, so it is important to have to make sacrifices through network and make connections for decisions. life after rugby. I spent a week in the Baa baas, it ON SOCIAL MEDIA was such a fun week and I made Interestingly Andy has no social great connections and really media. I am a bit old fashion. I see enjoy seeing the guys after the guys come off the field and the games now. Rugby provides great first thing they do is check their friendships and it is those that I will 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL phones. I am lucky if I get a few text last long beyond the playing days. messages! I see a place for social ON HAVING BALANCE media and it has some real positives ON HIS JOURNEY Having a balance puts the rugby for connecting to the fans but for It is essential to have a good solid stuff in a better perspective. me I would rather live in the actual support network that will be there When I am busy outside of rugby moment. through thick and thin. I am lucky I find I am more connected my family and wife have been rock when I go to training. Rugby is PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT solid so I am very grateful for that. an intense environment so it is The Personal Development You learn a lot of your wisdom later important to have things going Managers really help with the in your career. I make sure that I on outside of rugby so you keep it stuff when you get into the adult really enjoy the moment, embrace all in perspective and it helps the world. They can help with things it and try to enjoy it. Ride it with a enjoyment. I am a person who likes you previously might not have not smile on your face. being busy and I think that holds you had to think about like insurances, in good stead for life after rugby. houses, wills, finances and careers. I was doing morning radio before You get good support to make good training every day and I really decisions. As a professional player enjoyed it and found it a great way you can get fast forward into having to start the day. to make big decisions quickly so it is important to tap into those resources around you. It is important to think about what you are going to do after rugby. Even if it is not set in stone, just so a player can genuinely have an idea in the back of your head. It sews the seed. You have to talk about a plan, even on a causal basis then you are not losing sight that you have to have something after ANDY ELLIS AND RICHIE MCCAW, EDEN rugby. Verbalising your plans helps. PARK, 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL
APRIL/MAY 2016 | NZ RUGBY WORLD | 81 THE ADIDAS ATHLETETARANAKI
DIDAS HAVE A LONG ASSOCIATION Derrick Rose and Lionel Messi. From New Zealand WITH SPORTS AROUND THE GLOBE they have Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams in their AND CAREFULLY SELECT PLAYERS stable. TO REPRESENT THEIR BRAND AS ADIDAS sponsor over 56 different types of sports AMBASSADORS.A THEY HAVE JUST EXTENDED around the world including the All Blacks, Real THEIR LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea football ZEALAND RUGBY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION (NZRPA) teams. It is a €17 Billion business which has REINFORCING HOW HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE THEY ARE recorded impressive global currency neutral profits OF PLAYER EDUCATION. THEY STATE THE REASON the last financial year of €720 Million. THEY SUPPORT THE NZRPA IS BECAUSE FOR ADIDAS, What do they look for when they are choosing BEING PROFESSIONAL OFF THE FIELD IS JUST AS people and organisations to associate their brand IMPORTANT AS BEING PROFESSIONAL ON THE FIELD. with? They collaborate with some of the biggest Andrew Wilson, Senior Global Sports Marketing names in sports, fashion, music and entertainment Manager: (HBS) Team Sport of adidas answers a including Kanye West, Rita Ora, Stella McCartney, few questions about what they look for in Global Pharrell Williams, Disney and Star Wars. They have Ambassadors, potential sponsors and brand some of the biggest names wearing their brand as collaborators. ambassadors including David Beckham, Katy Perry,
PLAYERS OWN: What do you look for when developing through the stages. relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. When when you bring an athlete into the At the same time its important young recruiting athletes we not only look adidas family to be an ambassador? athletes take control of their careers, at their performance on-field we are AW: A young athlete needs to first and find people you can trust to guide and also looking at their social analytics, foremost fit with our brand positioning, support your decisions. But most of all how many Instagram, Facebook and and at the same time share similar it’s about enjoyment. Be sure to enjoy twitter followers do they have? Lionel values. We look for honest, passionate what you do and the rest should fall into Messi has c. 35 Million followers and and committed individuals who are place. David Beckham just fewer than 20 authentic, innovative and inspirational. PLAYERS OWN: How important is social Million followers on Instagram the value The “Creator” athlete is young and a media from a sponsorship perspective these numbers bring to sponsors are superstar in their chosen sport! Best for athletes? limitless!! in class and a standout with a bright AW: Social media is today’s norm, it’s a The athlete today can no longer ignore future, however not only do they powerful medium through which players social media, they need to embrace possess the qualities of a world class and brands alike can reach a target it and we certainly see that the new athlete on the field, court or in the pool audience. Our athletes are our biggest generation of athletes are very in touch but they are also socially active and brand ambassadors and through their with and understand social platforms, influential within their peer group and social channels we can tell specific not only do they communicate through beyond. stories, drive campaigns and grow these channels but they expect us the PLAYERS OWN: What advice would you our influence. It’s key for players to sponsors to communicate via said give to young athletes starting out? understand that their social platforms channels too. AW: Education is key make sure you are very powerful and at the same time PLAYERS OWN: Obviously on the have options should you need them. they need to take responsibility for field performance is important, but The sporting world is a very unforgiving how they use or abuse such channels. how much expectation do adidas one and in this, the professional era we As a sponsor you want the athlete to place on your athletes around off field are seeing players’ careers becoming be telling a organic story daily in which performance? much shorter, sure athletes are being your brand features constantly through AW: The days of an athlete being paid more HOWEVER the seasons are their channels, a before – during – after a product endorser are long gone. becoming longer, the hits bigger and the scenario in which adidas is a part of The expectations on athletes have injuries more severe. It’s still a long life the athletes daily life be it during a changed. We are constantly looking for post career, so always keep this in mind gym session, in the game itself, or just ROE (Return on Engagement) as well
82 | NZ RUGBY WORLD | APRIL/MAY 2016 LIONEL MESSI DAVID BECKHAM as ROI (Return on Investment). entertainers to collaborate with network globally, and as a Our athletes are in effect our what process do you go through? business are constantly looking ambassadors, they need to be AW: When dealing with athletes, we to redevelop our brand to ensure 100% engaged with our brand at involved our wider business team. we stay relevant. In today’s world all times, they need to be sharing As well as the markets in which the the consumer expects more and our messaging and stories daily. athlete might be relevant. Key to instantly, they in effect are making The adidas logo is worn by them start is that the athlete has that the decisions for us. We adapt an at all times. Their social platforms something special, an exceptional open source approach meaning we are alive with organic, personal talent either with a bright future listen to what the market wants and messaging about the brand. How or already well established in their allow them to influence trends and they conduct themselves in front chosen sport. At the same time we decisions, at the same time it’s all of camera and in an audience all need to understand how the athlete about speed to market. play important roles in building will support our wider business that relationship with the player. objectives? Are they relevant to Athletes need to be dynamic and our target audience? Do they have DID YOU KNOW American willing to go beyond the 80 minutes a large social following? Do they track and field athlete Jesse on field. transcend the vertical sport and Owens was one of the first PLAYERS OWN: How important has are they a globally recognisable athletes to use adidas shoes. athlete involvement become with face? All questions and criteria we He won four gold medals in technology in designing sporting review when contemplating a young the 1936 Olympics. apparel? athlete. In rugby for example we AW: Athlete involvement has always also look at key positions which been at the centre of product influence games, try-scorers or development for adidas, dating back goal kickers. The Playmakers and Business partners to our founder Adolf Dassler who “Creator” athletes both on and off crafted the saying “Only the best for the field. the athlete” and this still rings true PLAYERS OWN: How far in advance today. Technology in the sporting do you work with collaborators until goods industry has become products arrive in the stores? cutting edge, in an environment AW: In Short the product where milliseconds can mean the development process end to end difference between Gold and silver can take anything from 12 to 24 it’s vitally important to understand months; depending on the range how an athlete moves and what and style and if the adidas futures they need to make them the best. team are involved, this is the Of course new technologies and time it takes from first designs machinery can provide valuable to the product actually hitting feedback and insight but at times the store shelves. However, when the very best feedback is direct working with third parties, (artists, from the athlete’s themselves. sportsmen) it can in reality take Point in case when it comes to the longer. Depending on the level Preferential providers All Blacks product, the team, and of collaboration, as well as the management are heavily involved materials needed to be sourced and from the start of the process availability of the athlete to input providing invaluable input to ensure into the design process. we develop the world leading PLAYERS OWN:How do you stay at technologies as see during the RWC the forefront of such a competitive 2015. market? PLAYERS OWN:: When choosing AW: We have a very developed athletes, artists, designers and scouting and sports marketing
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HIGHLANDERS’ PATRICK OSBORNE & WAISAKE NAHOLO WITH SOME STUDENTS FROM KAVANAGH COLLEGE IN DUNEDIN. THE PLAYERS HAD SPENT TIME SHARING THEIR CAREER EXPLORATION CRUSADERS BEN VOLAVOLA EXPERIENCES AND EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A REFERRING A GAME AT THE PLANNED APPROACH TOWARDS ACHIEVING CAREER GOALS. CANTABRIANS FUN DAY
NEHE MILNER SKUDDER FROM THE HURRICANES WITH A TUATARA AT ZEALANDIA IN WELLINGTON
AUCKLAND ACADEMY DOING NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASSES
HURRICANES AT THE ADRENALINE FORREST
JACOB ELLISON, RODNEY SO’OIALO, PAUL STEINMETZ, SHANNON PAKU, STEVE SYMONDS & TIM WESTON AT THE HURRICANES ALUMNI DINNER
84 | NZ RUGBY WORLD | APRIL/MAY 2016 NEW PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT MANGERS IN THE PROVINCES. HE NZRPA AND NZR JOINTLY MANAGE THE PLAYERS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (PDP) WHICH HAS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS (PDMS) AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH EMERGING, CURRENT AND TRANSITIONING MEN AND WOMEN PLAYERS ON THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE PERSOAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS THERE TO SUPPORT,T GUIDE AND ASSIST PLAYERS IN THEIR CAREER, EDUCATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO CHALLENGE PLAYERS TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THEMSELVES - BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Below we welcome three new Personal Development Mangers in the Provinces. WAIKATO pretty quickly and at the time you RACHEL STEPHENSON IS THE don’t think so, but it does and you NEW PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT have to plan for it.” MANAGER FOR WAIKATO RUGBY UNION. TARANAKI Based in the Waikato for the LISA HOLLAND HAS JOINED last 25 years, Rachel has a THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT strong background in mental PROGRAMME AS THE TARANAKI health, business management RUGBY UNION PERSONAL and education. She is a trained DEVELOPMENT MANAGER. nurse, has a Business Degree The mother of teenage twins is and education qualifications CHRIS POLLOCK excited about her new role and and owns her own consultancy looking forward to empowering the The Father of two retired from business which specialises in players. international refereeing in 2015. quality, governance, auditing and Born in London, Lisa and her The multi-sport lover will hang up facilitation. family moved to New Zealand in the whistle with 201 first class Rachel is the national Chair of 2007 when she took up a role at games to his name and is looking two disability organisations and Taranaki District Health Board as a forward to being involved in rugby is passionate about developing senior Human Resources Advisor. from another side. people. She is looking forward to After a few years in the position “I enjoy dealing with people and am providing a smooth transition for she took up a position at the looking forward to getting to know the players and helping them to be Western Institute of Technology in the players, seeing them grow and their best in all areas of their lives. Taranaki as the Human Resources helping them to become better Manager. Lisa has been involved people and more successful,” said with anti-bullying campaigns HAWKES BAY the keen surfer. and worked more recently as the AFTER 11 YEARS OF BEING IN Chris, a qualified teacher and General Manager for a Youth Centre CONTROL OF SUPER RUGBY ON Director of Sport at Hasting where she concentrated on the THE FIELD, CHRIS POLLOCK WILL Boys High, believes the Personal development of young people aged TURN HIS ATTENTION TO HELPING Development Programme is 12-24 years. PLAYERS TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR extremely important “One thing In her down time, the keen animal LIVES OFF THE FIELD. CHRIS I have learned in my career is the lover with a great sense of humour HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE NEW more balanced your life is off the enjoys getting in the garden. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER field, the better you perform. The FOR HAWKES BAY RUGBY UNION. end of your career comes round
WHAT THE WHAT THE Gallagher Gallagher Chiefs ARE LISTENING TO... Chiefs ARE WATCHING... Peanut Butter Jelly – Chicken Fried – Zac Galantis Brown Band 27 Club – Chloe Good Times – Ella Game of Thrones Peaky Blinders Black Eyre The Block NZ My Kitchen Rules Work it out – Netsky
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NEW ZEALAND RUGBY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION CLUB. Camaraderie - Networking - Support - Advice
The NZRPA are working to establish a thriving network of retired New Zealand Professional Rugby Players across the country to provide camaraderie, networking, support and advice.
IM WESTON FROM THE NZRPA WHO The events create opportunities for “It was really good chatting to people LOOKS AFTER THE NZRPA RUGBY former players to unite, spend some time that I haven’t caught up with for ages, CLUB SAID “WE ARE IN THE EARLY together and re-establish the camaraderie reconnecting and meeting new people. STAGES OF ESTABLISHING OUR that they got through rugby during their “I took a lot of comfort from hearing other TRUGBY CLUB NETWORK, BUT WE KNOW playing days. Events have already been people share their stories about similar THAT PLAYERS WHO COME ALONG TO held in Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin and experiences they had transitioning out of THE NZRPA RUGBY CLUB EVENTS REALLY Christchurch with Wellington to be held in rugby. I will definitely go to future events ENJOY THEMSELVES. THEY GET A LOT OUT later in the year. because I got so much out of it and I also OF THEM AND WILL HELP BRING OTHER Former Chiefs player Steven Bates who learned about the services the NZRPA can FORMER PLAYERS ALONG TO HELP US has just returned from eight years of playing tap into to help former players.” GROW THEIR NZRPA ALUMNI RUGBY CLUB. in Japan and attended the Auckland event If you are a former professional player and “We would like to encourage any retired said “Being from out of the region, I was a wish to take part in any of these events or be professional players to attend any number little bit apprehensive about going, but at added to the NZRPA Rugby Club database of the events that we are holding.” the end of the day I was so glad I did. please email [email protected].
86 | NZ RUGBY WORLD | APRIL/MAY 2016 HUNTING DIARIES WITH SAM CANE
URING ONE OF THE BYE a missed opportunity. At about 8.30am in the distance down by a creek and WEEKS I MANAGED TO GET we parked up on a super high ledge to he quickly jumped off and shot it. You OUT HUNTING WITH A FEW regroup. By that time the sun was fully could sense his relief after two days OF MY CHIEFS TEAM MATES out so we thought we had missed our of getting stick from the boys that he DJOHAN BARDOUL, MAAMA VAIPULU chance to get anything. would go home empty handed. AND STONEY CREEK OWNER BRENT We decided to carry on for one more We all arrived back at the hut and MCCONNELL AND A FEW LOCALS. walk. We were walking on a track and celebrated the fact that Johan had After our Saturday mid-morning looked across to a clearing about 100m finally shot something. match review session we packed up away and saw a young red hind. We We enjoyed some fresh venison on and jumped into the Ute and started could only see one, so Maama set up the little gas cooker and then went driving to our hunting destination of and shot it with pin point accuracy out spotlighting again. We were Taihape. It was fair to say the boys were straight through the shoulder. As we unsuccessful so we returned the a bit jaded from the game the night were congratulating him we looked hut, and sat around pulling out some before, so we stopped in Taupo and over and saw that another hind was in impressive yarns. loaded up with supplies and had a feed. fact in the bush and had jumped out The next morning with the deer on We finally got to Taihape about 10 pm. into the clearing, so Maama quickly the back of the Ute we dropped the Not wanting to waste an opportunity, reloaded and shot that one as well. The shepherd’s kids off to their local two we got stuck in straight away and went pressure was now off him. classroom primary school in their out spotlighting on the big station with We walked back to the hut and Chiefs jerseys (even though the school a few of the locals for a couple of hours. arrived about 10am to the other group has a uniform) and had a photo with I was the first on the back of the Ute cooking breakfast. They had not been the kids and threw the footy ball around and I knocked off two Spika’s in the first as successful as us, and the pressure with them which was top way to finish two hours. I couldn’t believe my luck. was mounting on them with plenty of the trip. We came across two Spika’s banter flowing. The boys all have now got plenty of standing pretty close to each other. I We went back with the motorbike steaks, sausages and patties for the shot the first one and the other one and got the deer which we threw on the freezer, so that should see us right for took off, so we turned the light onto Ute and brought back to the hut and the next few months. him to follow him and I got him when he took down to the chiller at the Station paused to look behind him. homestead. Now the pressure was on the other We went for a pig hunt for the next boys to get something! four hours on foot and walked over Send a hunting or fishing photo Maama jumped on the back and some steep terrain which would have and you could WIN $250 worth of took over the duties as we carried on kept our trainers happy. We saw a Stoney Creek gear of your choice! for another hour. We called it a day few deer in the long distance but they at about 1am and went to the hut, were too far away to even contemplate, The good folk at Stoney Creek have given us a $250 unpacked the Ute, had a feed and got a so we just sat and watched them credit for someone to spend on any Stoney Creek few hours shut eye. wallowing in the mud through the merchandise of your choice. We know you like things A few boys opted to sleep outside binoculars. simple, so send us your best high resolution (that which was freezing! We got to the bottom of the massive means we can print it, so needs to be 300kb in photo We got up early the next morning hill and there was only one way out size) hunting or fishing photo tokylie.sousa@ and the group split up. Maama and and that was to go back up it. To come nzrpa.co.nz and the best photo wins. Winner will be I went with the local shepherd while away empty handed after all that effort contacted by email to arrange your shopping trip Johan, Brent and another local went was frustrating. and the picture published in the next magazine. the other way. Maama and the shepherd continue The sun was just starting to rise pig hunting while Johan, Brent CRUSADERS TIM which provided enough light to see an and I went to another spot as dusk PERRY AND BEN amazing backdrop of rolling hills and approached. We found a spot with FUNNEL WITH THEIR fog filled valleys. some good grass and a place where we 142LB AND 170LB We walked for a few hours and hoped some deer would come out to BOARS FROM THE spotted a couple of stags and hinds in enjoy, but there was nothing. DUNEDIN RAID the distance, but by the time we got Thinking we would return empty DURING THE JUNE within shooting range they had bolted. handed again, we headed back to the INTERNATIONAL Much to our disappointment, we hut. When we were about five minutes BREAK. spooked a 10-pointer stag. There was away from the hut Johan spotted one
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