Thompson: There is support available to past players

In our series ‘Retired Rookies’, we catch up with some of the retiring Class of 2023 to look into what they have been doing in the first year post career. Corey Thompson opened up about his time post footy before starting with the Titans, and his involvement with the RLPA’s Past Player & Transition Program, including his recent appearance at the Nines Premier League.

What did Corey Thompson do in the first year of his retirement from elite rugby league?

“My first year out I was working with Peter Norman, the Head of Rugby League at Keebra Park State High School, as a specialist coach and I also jumped on board as a youth worker for a company called Aspire Hub.”

What did you find most difficult about retiring?

“For me, the most difficult part about retiring would have been losing the structure that being a professional athlete gave me for 10 years.

In 2023, I signed for the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup, which took a bit of the stress of retirement away as I still got to play competitively. However, it was still tough and a big structural change to what I was used to as I picked up multiple types of employment.”

What do you wish you knew about retirement that you didn’t know when you were playing?

“Looking back, there are so many types of support available to you, so just utilise as many support networks that you can. Being in a team environment at the Brisbane Tigers and Peter at Keebra Park helped me massively in being able share some of the things I got to learn over my career.”

How is the RLPA’s Past Player & Transition Program helping you in your transition and retirement?

“Keegan Hipgrave, my Player Transition Manager, has been a huge help in my transition into retirement.

I also recently had the opportunity to play for the RLPA team in the Nines Premier League in a team full of past players. It was a great opportunity to have a bit of fun and connect with so many past players.”

What are your career and life goals for the next few years?

“My goal after retiring was to get back into the NRL space as a staff member. Since then, I’m back at the Titans working full time which is already a step in the right direction for me.”

Who is a player that is doing well in retirement that really inspires or motivates you and what are they up to?

“Ryan James has helped me out a lot through my transition into retirement. He’s always there to answer my calls whenever I need some help with anything.”