Life after sport is a concern that faces every athlete eventually, and for the many not lucky enough to earn enough to retire on, that concern is even greater.
But Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund has teed up his post-football career and he's using it to help prepare others for the inevitable.
Ben Sigmund is a no-nonsense defender on the field, but off it he's anything but.
The 34-year-old has set up a programme with the Wellington Phoenix that helps young footballers prepare for the professional lifestyle and what comes afterwards.
"We don't want them to just become better footballers. Yes, we want them to be professionals, but if it doesn't work out through injury or if the coach doesn't like them, we are giving them the skills to go out into the community as better people," says Sigmund.
"Yeah it's quite important for all us. It's helped me become a better person in school and also on the pitch, so it's really helped me," says footballer Calvin Harris.
That's all Sigmund is looking to achieve – helping footballers but, more importantly, helping people to become better equipped.
Sigmund debuted for the All Whites aged 18 but did not play again for eight years and believes those experiences motivate him to help the next generation.
"I had no one to teach me resilience, how to talk to coaches, communicate with people. My attitude back then was terrible."
Football in New Zealand has grown since Sigmund's early days, but it's still a far cry from the glitz and glamour of Europe.
The average career span of an A-League player is just two years, but Sigmund is lucky enough to be starting his eighth.
"You talk to a lot of players and a lot of them are scared. All we see is them running out on the TV and playing and they look all happy and everything's okay," says Sigmund.
That's where Sigmund is looking to help players become prepared for life after football, and in turn he looks to have sorted his own future career.
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