Although summer welcomes a fresh start for me mentally, it’s also going to be a busy few weeks.
After 10 months of concentrating on football, it’s hard to just switch off. I’m working on striking a new balance between relaxing, childcare, weddings, general fitness and studying.
The summer break in football can be mixed across the board.
Some have many more years in contract and can enjoy totally switching off and recouping. For others, like me, there’s a pressure to make sure we have a contract come July.
I would like my role in financial services to be well rounded
The responsibilities suddenly come into sharp focus when you don’t know what the next chapter of your life looks like. The saying, ‘Failing to plan is planning to fail,’ certainly rings true.
I like to think others in my position feel they have access to a support network during these weeks.
One organisation that does great work already in this space is the Professional Footballers’ Association. Their personal understanding of the journey into and out of the profession is invaluable and I’ve already spoken with them about their courses, training and advice.
I feel I could provide a real-world example of positive money habits for younger players
I would like my role in financial services to be well rounded. Beyond providing advice, I want to help mentor and provide support to younger players on education, understanding, money management and how other professionals can help them.
Many, like me, could kick a ball before they could read; they knew they would be a professional footballer before taking their school exams.
This can create a blinker from life experiences, mistakes and understanding of basic money principles. This is where I feel I could help and provide a real-world example of positive money habits.
Preparation for my next exam – R05 — in July takes me back to the years of my GCSEs, where you float through most of the term thinking, ‘I’ve got ages,’ until you have a few weeks left and suddenly prepare the energy drinks.
To be fair, I have been quietly revising for some time now, but the last-minute panic will most likely set in.
I like to think others in my position feel they have access to a support network during these long weeks of summer
There are a few areas where I feel the need to catch up and I’ve used the past-marking scheme to highlight the topics that award the greatest marks. I’m going to start there and pick up the smaller areas in a few weeks.
I am also conscious of making sure I complete the exam paper within the timeframe and am hoping the pace will come as the understanding does.
Nick Powell is a Stoke City footballer and relationship manager at Premier Wealth Solutions – Sporting Professionals
This article featured in the June 2023 edition of MM.
If you would like to subscribe to the monthly magazine, please click here.
