Sports Agent, Manager

Career:
After A levels, I went to Brunel University to study Geography and Sports Science. I’ve always been very involved in sport and I got a rugby scholarship to Cambridge University to do Land Economy. I became a Chartered Surveyor for 2 years, and then went full-time as a rugby player, playing for Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Neath. I turned professional and met up with my business partner, Alun Jenkins, who was a solicitor looking at my contract. We formed the company Total Sports Management to look after sports people, and Darren Morris and Ben Evans were our first 2 signings. The company has been running for several years now and has developed very quickly. We began with rugby players and are now involved in athletics and looking to snooker and tri-athletes.

The job:
I do a lot of relationship-building with athletes, parents and wives. We look after the people we represent, taking away problems they might have, so that they can concentrate on their sport. We might arrange hotels for our snooker players or sort out where to get spikes for the athletes. We check contracts, looking to maximise a player’s income whilst they are playing their sport. We also look out for additional things they might want to do like giving talks.

Big break:
Being a player, I had access to all other players. I gradually built up the clientele. The big break has been ongoing, taking on high-profile clients and gaining a good reputation.

Highlight:
A real highlight was getting athletes like Steve Backley and Iwan Thomas as clients.Also, going out to watch the Lions in Australia to see our players - Darren Morris and Neil Jenkins.

Low:
The lows are when you have conflicts. Sometimes you can see what’s best for a player but you have to wait for them as they are already tied into another contract. It’s frustrating when you think what you could do for them.

Tips from the top:
When we look to take people on, we look for people who can relate to others. We look out for people who are genuine and good communicators. You have to be hard-working but it’s good fun! It isn’t necessarily long hours of work but the hours aren’t 9-5. I might have to take calls through the night if we have players in different time zones. You have to be prepared to be flexible but the job brings great rewards.