Posted by RLPA
Hunt: Build a great team around you
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.
Hymel Hunt shared his experience retiring from the game, his relationship with the RLPA’s Past Player & Transition Program, and some of his goals for the future.
What did you do in the first year of your retirement from elite rugby league?
“My family and I moved back to Coogee and I started working as a finance broker for Kanebridge Finance. While I was playing full-time at the Knights, I completed all work experience and study there going into the office on my days off.”
What did you find most difficult about retiring?
“It was hard to establish a routine as you have to balance family time, staying fit and work life on your own. When you’re a professional athlete you get a schedule, you get all the necessities to succeed, and also get a lot of time for family so that was the hardest adjustment personally.”
What do you wish you knew about retirement that you didn’t know when you were playing?
“Besides completing study or a trade, build a great team around you to support you financially and mentally.
“Early in your career get a financial advisor to control your spending and guide you to purchase investments, or use a family member that has invested well to educate you in building your assets and income outside of footy because that’s what you will fall back on when you hang the boots up.”
How is the RLPA’s Past Player & Transition Program helping you in your transition and retirement?
“The RLPA has been great in the ease of my transition. Meetings with Keegan Hipgrave, Jamie Buhrer and Joe Galuvao ensured I had the support for not only my wellbeing but everything involved in life post footy.”
What are your career and life goals for the next few years?
“In the future I would love to run my own Kanebridge Finance office in the east and help create wealth for clients and their families to continue the legacy Kanebridge has accomplished for decades. Also, my wife and I plan to build a forever home in Coogee for our kids to enjoy and call home.”
Who is a player that is doing well in retirement that really inspires or motivates you and what are they up to?
“Robbie Rochow is a close friend of mine and it was awesome to see how well he transitioned out of the game. He managed to complete his engineering degree, purchase multiple investment properties during his career and now is a Senior Project Manager at BG&E Resource”
