Jonty Clarke's exclusive Chronicle column, sponsored by BDO
Sportsdesk • Published 11 Aug 2011 07:30
0 Comments
"LAST week I worked my final three days for BDO, before taking a career break. I will now be training as a full- time athlete through to the Olympics in 12 months' time. The impact this should have will hopefully make a massive difference to my training and preparation for the biggest sporting event of my life.
Now, instead of having to go to the gym at 6.30pm after eight hours in the office, I will be able to get in during the morning; fresh and ready to train, rather than feeling rushed and being forced to find some energy and application from somewhere.
Additionally, I will be able to get physio treatment during the day. It is always hard trying to make an appointment with a physio, when you have to try to persuade her to stay an extra couple of hours after her normal working hours just to see me.
So, last Wednesday was a very exciting day for me. When I walked out of the office, it felt as though there was nothing standing in my way to stop me from achieving my dreams in London 2012.
Don't get me wrong though, I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years working for BDO, and owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the help and support they have given me over that time. I now sit in a position after the Olympics to go back into work with a qualification that should enable me to take my career forwards in the direction and at the pace I want.
You may think that this must be the case with every athlete. However, many athletes have struggled to find the opportunities in the work environment that I have had. It is amazing how many companies have popped their heads up in the last year or so to offer athletes a chance to work for them. Clearly, they think that in the last couple of years in the run- up to the Olympics, the publicity that they can earn off the back of employing an athlete now makes it worthwhile having an athlete on their staff.
The difference with BDO is that they offered me a job before the Olympics were awarded to London. They never employed me purely for publicity. They recognized ability in me, that they felt would make me a good candidate on their graduate program and decided to offer me a job in spite of my hockey commitments.
That is really the kind of support that athletes need, and there are very few companies out there who are genuinely willing to support their employees to that level.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 11 Aug 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
