In our latest Stability the Grind conversation, we’re excited to chat with Hayden Sargeant, a Gold Coastline nearby who’s not only a Rugby 7s player but also on the verge of maybe heading to the Olympics.
In this job interview, Hayden shares his extraordinary journey from being allow go through COVID to making a spectacular comeback. He talks about balancing get the job done as a builder when instruction for rugby, the instant he obtained the phone from the mentor that changed everything, and what it’s like to land a sponsorship with BSc.
Hayden also opens up about his motivation, the guidance he received, and how he’s getting ready for the probability of symbolizing Australia on the entire world stage.
Hayden, your journey from being a builder to a Rugby 7s participant is genuinely inspiring. What saved you motivated to hold pursuing your rugby dreams irrespective of the setbacks?
I’ve constantly experienced a robust inner drive to be successful. Prior to COVID hit, I was so shut that I understood if I persevered, I could go near to attaining my intention after everything returned to usual. The toughest element throughout that time was not understanding how lengthy the pandemic would past. My other main motivator was my brother. I wanted to established a good instance for him, displaying him that if you have a aspiration and give it every little thing you’ve got, there is no doubt you can accomplish it.
You commenced taking part in rugby to verify a stage to your neighbour. Wanting back, how do you feel about that decision and how it shaped your rugby profession?
It’s pretty amusing looking back now. I utilized to adore soccer but switched to rugby just to show to my neighbour that I was tough adequate. I even performed up an age team for a handful of yrs to be on his workforce and participate in tackle as a substitute of contact. I’m not sure how significantly it shaped my vocation, but it certainly received it started out.
Your dad made use of to give you $5 for each try out as a motivator. Do you assume that early encouragement performed a substantial purpose in your good results on the industry?
Unquestionably! I have such apparent memories of telling my dad how considerably funds he owed me during our motor vehicle rides household. At the time, it seemed so a lot a lot easier than accomplishing chores to get paid funds. I was also obsessed with skateboarding, so I aimed to score as lots of tries as achievable to afford the latest gear. I try to remember a single match wherever I scored a handful of attempts, and afterward, my dad made the decision to cut down the reward from $5 to $2 for each try out since I was costing him way too substantially!
Finding that phone from Jonny past 12 months will have to have been a pivotal minute for you. What was likely by means of your brain when you got the invitation to train with the Rugby 7s workforce?
For sure! A good deal was going as a result of my brain at the time. I was essentially in the center of a spending budget conference at work when he called. My initially imagined was, “I hope my manager allows me have the week off so I can train with the workforce!” Luckily for us, he did. From a rugby viewpoint, I felt it was my last probability to make the staff, so I was decided to give it every little thing I had throughout that 7 days.
Balancing operate as a builder and teaching for rugby appears tough. How did you handle to keep disciplined and keep your rugby capabilities sharp in the course of that time?
I individually don’t think it’s as undesirable as it sounds. Immediately after all, most club gamers in all sporting activities do the job all through the day and educate in the afternoon. With that in intellect, I imagined about what I could do otherwise to gain an edge more than all people else. So, I commenced teaching in the morning, receiving to function early, and leaving early to suit in some excess follow right before the teaching began.
Creating your debut in LA and speedily landing a sponsorship with BSc are large accomplishments. How have these activities impacted your self esteem and technique to the sport?
Thank you! The sponsorship world is fairly imprecise to me as it is extremely unique from construction, the place I have extra encounter. Navigating this has been a understanding curve, and I’m exceptionally grateful to have BSc on this journey with me during 2024. Their help has been exceptional in each aspect, providing me with assets and assistance that have built a substantial change.
A large shout out to Taj, the athlete supervisor, who consistently goes earlier mentioned and further than by examining in routinely to see if there is just about anything I require or any way he can guide allowing for me to focus on my overall performance. I am excited to see what we can achieve with each other this 12 months.
With the risk of going to the Olympics just all over the corner, how are you making ready the two mentally and physically to potentially represent Australia on such a grand stage?
Of course, fingers crossed! I consider it is straightforward to get caught up in hunting at the major picture, and you can effortlessly come to be consumed by the thought of the event. We are fortuitous to have a globe sequence that pretty much replicates the Olympics each individual 12 months.
We check out a new nation every month and compete towards the top 12 teams from around the world. Because of this, I do not feel there will be much too much alter in how we prepare for the Olympics.
Of study course, we’ll continue to keep a couple tricks up our sleeves, and perfecting those people in the weeks major up to the occasion will be essential. This ongoing international practical experience provides us a good foundation, and the regularity of our coaching and competitors program should really assistance us carry out our ideal when the time arrives.
