Robbie Robinson
BCITO Sport Athlete
How do you juggle a sports career and a building apprenticeship? Any tips for balancing both?
I started my apprenticeship as soon as rugby season finished in my last year at high school because I knew I always wanted to become a “builder”. What made that journey manageable was having a boss who understood my goals and just really clear communication around what my schedule would be and when I would need to take time away from the tools.
What made you want to dive into a building apprenticeship while still involved in your sport?
Knowing that rugby is a finite career path I knew I wanted to have something to go back to once I finished playing. Having that clarity in what I wanted allowed me to focus on rugby 100% and gave me peace of mind coming to the back end of my career.
Do the skills you’re learning in construction help you on the field? How do they connect?
The further you get into the apprenticeship the more skills you acquire for life after rugby. The skills learnt through rugby helped me on my journey into building, they make us highly valuable members of any work force.
Take us through a typical day for you! How do you balance training, competition, and your apprenticeship?
I juggled my apprenticeship and rugby for 2 years and I did that through a great support network and communication. Earlier than normal starts to the day and late finishes were frequent in those early years but having a plan gave me purpose and having great people around me made it possible.
What’s been the toughest part of balancing a building apprenticeship with a sports career?
The toughest part was trying to continually grow my strength in the gym. As a small fella I was always trying to put on weight and after a big day on the tools I often found it hard to stay on track with nutrition and push myself hard in the gym.
Does construction give you a mental break from sports, or does it add to the pressure?
I found it a great escape from rugby. A change in conversation, a mental break from over analysing performances and just great to surround myself with different people and solving different problems.
Has your sports experience helped you succeed in your apprenticeship? How do teamwork and discipline play a role?
Rugby gave me a great amount resilience, work ethic and discipline. All skills that are highly sought after by employees. Understanding team dynamics have a role outside of rugby helped to build great friendships through my apprenticeship.
How do you stay motivated and energized when juggling both a physically demanding sport and hands-on work?
It does become extremely hard and tiresome and I eventually took a step away from my apprenticeship so I could focus entirely on rugby, but how I managed those first 2 years was by setting myself goals and marking check points along my apprenticeship journey.
What’s the long-term plan: Are you focusing on sports now, or do you see both careers coexisting in the future?
The last question ties in perfectly here for me as I did take a long time away from my apprenticeship and was able to pick up where I left off all those years ago. My now self has so much gratitude for the old me that dug in and stuck at my apprenticeship all those years ago. I was able to jump back in seamlessly and felt like the mission was so much more achievable returning as an adult apprentice.
What advice would you give to young athletes who want to pursue something outside of sports while still competing?
Find something and do that thing as little or as often as you can. With the trades I know there are plenty of employers out there looking for passionate, driven employees and are willing to support you on your journey both in your apprenticeship and your sporting dreams. Just start, the rest will take care of itself. Your future self will thank you endlessly for the sacrifices you make today.
