With the season now well underway Saints players are looking forward to a great season. On top of heavy training schedules and family commitments many players are now also preparing for their careers after Rugby League.
After GPW Recruitment launched it’s newest division last summer, Rugby League Recruitment, they have been helping rugby league players find work placements with local businesses. The likes of Jon Wilkin, Ade Gardner and Paul Wellens have been giving up their day off to gain valuable experience in the workplace that will benefit them when they finish their careers in rugby and look for work outside the game.
This week Rugby League Recruitment has placed Saints prop James Graham at Rainhill High School. Once he retires from rugby league, James is looking into a number of careers including teaching English as a foreign language. With this in mind Rugby League Recruitment found ‘Jammer’ a placement at Rainhill High School working in Reading Recovery. Here he will brush up on skills that will prove useful when teaching English. He is also keen to get involved in the mentoring programme.
Head Teacher at Rainhill High School, John Pout commented,
“James Graham is seen as an excellent role model for all children in St Helens. While he is at Rainhill High School he will be working with some of our students to improve their literacy and numeracy skills and he will be a mentor to some others. In addition he will be running seminars with our elite athletes to allow them to see how hard work and a great attitude can help get you to the top.
James is keen on a career in education after his playing days, and we are only too happy to help give him a taste of the variety of jobs within 21st Century schools. There is a real buzz of excitement amongst the students that James is working in school, as a Saints season ticket holder for many years I am delighted.”
James Graham had the following to say,
“I’m aware that a career in rugby league can’t last forever so I’m keen to gain some experience off the pitch while I’m still at the club. When Rugby League Recruitment approached me with a placement at Rainhill High School I was excited to get involved. I am especially keen to work with the children who may be struggling at school. I’m aware Rainhill High School have great programmes in place to help get these students on the right path. Hopefully I can share some of my own experiences with the pupils and help them make the right choices while at the same time building on my CV.”
Recent media coverage surrounding Paul Wellens’ placement in the press office at St Helens Council had resulted in him gaining a regular column in the St Helens Reporter. In the column, titled ‘Wellens’ World’, Paul talks about recent games and strategies as well as giving us a sneaky peek at what goes on behind the scenes, leaving us all wondering who did steal Jammers protein shakes?
Andy Moffat, News Editor at the St Helens Reporter commented,
“Paul’s column for the Reporter is a real asset to the paper – it’s well-written, insightful and funny. Fans love to get a perspective from inside the dressing room, and that’s what Wellens’ World offers.
I know Paul is considering pursuing a media career once his rugby days are over. Whether he decides he wants to work in newspapers, television or both I’m sure he’ll be a success as he possesses all the attributes necessary.”
Managing Director of GPW Recruitment, Mark Parish, said,
“We are delighted that the work we have done through Rugby League Recruitment has lead to Wello being offered a regular column at The St Helens Reporter. We wish Wello the best of luck and look forward to hearing similar success stories from other players we have out on work placements.”