MOST of us have played sport, albeit at different levels, but no matter the grade we invariably enjoyed the challenge and the friendships we made.
As we get older our lives change and sport no longer becomes the be all and end all.
Going to training is no longer fun, the pressure of the game starts to get to us and we begin to question why we are still packing the bag for the weekend game.
My moment of truth came while getting ready for a game of rugby league in an old grandstand changeroom on a cold winter’s day.
I was still playing first grade and we were a winning team, but as I sat in that bunker listening to the coach trying to rev up the team I looked around at the young faces and said to myself “what am I doing still sitting here after so many seasons.”
At 31 years of age, I suddenly realised the time had come to say farewell to my love of rugby league.
I played out the season and after the final game over a beer with my good mates told them that next year I wouldn’t be playing. It was a relief and despite some of the guys saying just play another year my decision was made.
It happens to us all, we come to the realisation that sport is great, however, it’s only a small part of life. It’s true that you will miss it and that a beer and a yarn with your former teammates after their game is never the same as when you were on the field alongside them.
Reading Ash Barty’s honesty about the day she decided to retire prompted me to roll back my memory clock.
Unlike Barty I wasn’t giving away the chance to win millions, in fact $400 a win was the regal sum I was pocketing playing bush football for my extra pocket money.
Many elite sports people turn their back on their moment of truth and play on for some last minute glory and cash.
Ash Barty is a remarkable woman, sure she had made her money, but to simply decide to finish her sport when she was the best in the world was a stunning decision.
They say always go out at the top and that’s exactly what she did. In my years as a metro sports journalist I never reported on a player retiring as the best while injury free.
I saw them leave when well past their prime many times. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the first Lady of Ipswich Sport. She finished her career as a champion in a champion’s way.
