injuryupdate
03-02-2004, 08:28 PM
This statement is being taken from the Life After Football page, but is worth archiving. Original source is the Sunday Telegraph (Sydney), written by Aaron Moule after he retired from the Melbourne Storm:
Aaron Moule of the Melbourne Storm wrote this open letter in the Sunday Telegraph shortly after his retirement (at age 25) in early 2003:
"My retirement may seem very premature to many, but not to the most important person in my life, which is myself. This decision has not been a swift judgement. I have thought and weighed up my options with careful consideration. I am trying to find my way in this life the best I can. But it has to be my way. I do not believe I owe anyone an explanation, but I would like to express my reasoning to those who are interested in hearing it. Maybe I am not capable of being a professional sportsperson anymore. Their trade should never be underestimated. My body, along with my mind, have been telling me this for a while and I just cannot ignore the messages anymore. Each time I entered the field to play I felt I was placing a mask n and performing in the mask. I was tired of performing and now I just want to be who I am. Who I am is still a bit of a mystery although I am sure of only one thing at the moment - playing rugby league is no longer making me happy. I have incurred numerous injuries for a person of 25 years of age and I can no longer pretend that it's all OK. Retirement will not be a major change for me as I will keep fairly busy with other interests. Along with my eternal thirst for reading philosophy and psychology, I own a Rooming House, am following the footballer tradition of buying a pub and am completing a three-year IT course two evenings a week, so leaving Melbourne is not an option. Regardless of these interests, I would still remain here (in Melbourne) as the culture has become very addictive to me. This writing of mine could continue for several pages and some questions would still be unanswered. The most comprehensive answer I can give is that I am following my heart and listening to myself. Out to the so-called 'real' world I shoot without hesitation."
Aaron Moule of the Melbourne Storm wrote this open letter in the Sunday Telegraph shortly after his retirement (at age 25) in early 2003:
"My retirement may seem very premature to many, but not to the most important person in my life, which is myself. This decision has not been a swift judgement. I have thought and weighed up my options with careful consideration. I am trying to find my way in this life the best I can. But it has to be my way. I do not believe I owe anyone an explanation, but I would like to express my reasoning to those who are interested in hearing it. Maybe I am not capable of being a professional sportsperson anymore. Their trade should never be underestimated. My body, along with my mind, have been telling me this for a while and I just cannot ignore the messages anymore. Each time I entered the field to play I felt I was placing a mask n and performing in the mask. I was tired of performing and now I just want to be who I am. Who I am is still a bit of a mystery although I am sure of only one thing at the moment - playing rugby league is no longer making me happy. I have incurred numerous injuries for a person of 25 years of age and I can no longer pretend that it's all OK. Retirement will not be a major change for me as I will keep fairly busy with other interests. Along with my eternal thirst for reading philosophy and psychology, I own a Rooming House, am following the footballer tradition of buying a pub and am completing a three-year IT course two evenings a week, so leaving Melbourne is not an option. Regardless of these interests, I would still remain here (in Melbourne) as the culture has become very addictive to me. This writing of mine could continue for several pages and some questions would still be unanswered. The most comprehensive answer I can give is that I am following my heart and listening to myself. Out to the so-called 'real' world I shoot without hesitation."