Manly greats keeping fit & connected

Between them they’ve played 1,025 NRL games for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

No longer professional footballers, all seven have successfully carved a path in other professions. One in real estate, another in finance, a couple in mentoring roles, and one is now running the very football club he spent 14 years with as a player.

They may have lost a yard or two of pace over the years, but there was clearly a spring in their step when reunited back at Brookvale as part of the RLPA’s Keep Fit Connected program.

The get-together, with music blaring at the Penn Centre of Excellence, involved a 45-minute session of cardio and weights in the NRL team gym.

Keeping Connected

Steve Menzies (See Eagle #398) - Mortgage, Asset & Commercial Finance Broker – Menzies Finance

Jason King (See Eagle #454) - CEO - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Mark Bryant (See Eagle #501) - Real Estate Professional & Auctioneer

Kieran Foran (See Eagle #531) - Assistant Coach - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Jamie Buhrer (See Eagle #536) - GM Player & Football Operations - RLPA

Joe Galavao (See Eagle #535) - Player Transition Manager - RLPA

Shaun Lane (See Eagle #597) – Player Operations Manager – RLPA

It wasn’t just a session for the boys.  Also returning to the Club were former Manly Harvey Norman Cup players Shontelle Stowers, Nicole Backhouse, and Riley McKay.

For many professional athletes the transition after retirement into a new way of life can be challenging. 

New routines, new skills to be learnt, new financial pressures, new teammates, new family dynamics, and a new way of doing things. Life becomes a whole new ball game.

These days retired players are far better equipped to make the transition to ‘normal life’ thanks largely to the education and wellbeing programs that are now available to them.

Keep Fit Connected is one such program which is open to all past players. It is a series of events in the RLPA’s Past Player & Transition Program, which is led by former Sea Eagles forward Tom Symonds. 

Former Manly teammate Joe Galuvao is a Player Transition Manager at the RLPA and also plays a key role implementing the Keep Fit Connected program.

Premiership-winning prop Mark Bryant knows all about the benefits of keeping past players connected with the Club and was instrumental in establishing Manly’s official past players association, the Golden Eagles, back in 2014.

Bryant has forged a successful career in real estate since hanging up the boots in 2013, but admits it did take time to adjust to life after footy.

“I think one of the biggest things players struggle with when they retire is the day-to-day routine, and that powerful bond you have your teammates,” he said.

It’s really important to stay connected with the people who you have been through so much with.

Mark Bryant Sea Eagle #501

“There’s a lot you have in common as washed up old footy players. You’ve been through a similar journey.

“One good way to connect is with a bit of fitness thrown in.  Some players are clearly in better shape than others,” he laughs.

“Regardless, it’s brilliant to be back in the gym with these guys.”

Bryant combines his real estate and auctioneering gig with his ‘other job’ as Chairman of the Golden Eagles.  And with Manly celebrating its 80th anniversary, he says this year is busier than most.

“The club is doing some great things in this space and I’m happy to play a role in helping to keep our former players even more connected,” Bryant said.

“We’ll have our Golden Eagles Round later in the season and that’s always a special occasion.

This season we're seeing past players involved and connected at every home game, and it’s great to see. 

Mark Bryant

“The club is getting some of our legends to be actively involved in the game day entertainment as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations.  It’s awesome.”