Rugby
Celebrations at Falcons
Newcastle Falcons centre Mark Mayerhofler was celebrating this week, having graduated from university.
The hard-hitting All Black has just completed a degree from the Open University focusing on computer studies, as he prepares for life after rugby and his return to New Zealand in December.
The 34-year-old said: “I started my degree back home about 14 years ago.
“As with many things the rugby kind of took over, but for the last couple of years I’ve been working on completing my studies.
“I’ve also been doing a work placement with a big company in Newcastle called Sage, who have been really supportive, working with computers and the IT side of things. That is an area which interests me and something I would like to pursue when I head back to New Zealand.”
Mayerhofler is one of a number of Falcons to hit the textbooks, with England stars Toby Flood and Mathew Tait among the Newcastle players furthering their education. Flood is currently in the final stages of his Business Management degree at Northumbria University, while Tait is completing his first year studies in Biomedical Science at Newcastle University.
A whole host of Falcons players are engaged in both academic and tertiary qualifications, with director of rugby John Fletcher stating: “We see it is an important part of their personal development.
“The Falcons have a well-deserved reputation for player welfare, and where possible we encourage the boys to get out and continue their studies, learn a trade or get work experience.
“Obviously rugby takes paramount importance while they are with us, but through our careers officer Ian Smith we have fantastic links with our local universities and north-east industry. As well as giving the players an option for life after rugby it also keeps their minds active and gives them an outside interest, which is important.”
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