Bouncing back with a sporting mentality
Founder Nick Rewcastle offered his advice on how to bounce back from redundancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, as featured in The Sun.
When I lost my job as Comms Lead at Harlequins, I was devastated.
But a few months on, I am bouncing back.
Here are my top five tips for how to use a sporting mentality to bounce back and land work again.
1. Play to the whistle
It felt like everything was over for me after receiving the news.
If you’re facing redundancy, you’ll no doubt be going through a consultancy period. Consider your options, fight for your job and give your employer hard evidence (proof points, real business value) as to why they should keep you.
2. Down to the wire
But, for me, the money was the overriding issue. I felt this wave of fear that time seemed to be running out for me to keep a roof above our heads.
Tailor your CV and covering letter to the company and JD. APPLY!
3. Benched
Rejected…again. Jobs I thought I would get, I couldn’t even get an interview for.
Broaden your horizons. Look for a new challenge. If you’ve been made redundant, it’s likely that your industry is struggling, so be open to something new.
4. I get knocked down, but I get up again.
It had been over a month since my last job interview, and I realised that with how saturated the market had become, the chance of full-time employment at this stage was decreasing.
So, I jumped on to the HMRC website, registered as self-employed then started reaching out to some of my close contacts.
5. The ball’s in your court.
I realised that it’s time to take hold of my future and if I wanted to succeed, I needed to do this properly.
I purchased a domain, a basic website, roped in a graphic designer friend and voila I had myself a reputable looking business.
Since launching New Reach, I have been inundated with messages, calls and am working with some incredible businesses. I’ve gone from no interviews to this.
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A recent report from Sky News' Rob Harris has highlighted England players’ concerns about feeling pressured to speak out on political issues at major tournaments. Reading this was disappointing, but not surprising. It reflects a growing tension in modern sport: athletes sit at the centre of public conversation, yet many don’t feel supported, prepared or protected when that conversation turns political. Athlete platforms are powerful, their reach is undeniable. But that should not automatically mean they should be the frontline voices on every political or geopolitical issue. It's also fair to assume that not only to many not feel comfortable or qualified to hold that role. The burden of expectation Sporting bodies, brands and even fans now look to athletes to offer a stance whenever a sensitive global issue arises. The expectation is heavy, and the scrutiny is unforgiving. This raises an important question for the industry: Are we empowering athletes to use their platforms responsibly, or are we leaning on them to take positions that organisations themselves are hesitant to lead on? Too often, what starts as an opportunity for authenticity becomes a burden that athletes never asked to shoulder. Where athlete advocacy fits Athletes can, and do, drive meaningful social impact — especially when speaking from lived experience. And perhaps this is where the industry should be focusing its support. There is enormous value in athletes championing social and economic issues that feel natural, relevant and constructive, such as: Improving access to sport Inspiring participation Championing inclusivity Supporting community programmes Highlighting the health and wellbeing benefits of activity Addressing inequalities These are not 'soft' issues, ultimately they shape society and improve lives. This is where athletes are uniquely positioned to influence, without being dragged into politically charged territory. Who should really lead political conversations? If governing bodies, rights holders or organisations wish to take political or ethical positions, they should lead from the front — not rely on athletes to be the public face of those complexities. Athletes can support, amplify and add humanity to important discussions, b ut they should not be the default spokesperson for institutional viewpoints. As the role of athletes continues to evolve, the industry needs a clearer, more responsible framework for how we support them. That means: Giving athletes the freedom to choose if and how they speak Providing education, guidance and safeguarding when they do Reducing pressure to comment on politically sensitive issues Elevating athlete voices in areas where they have genuine authority Ensuring organisations do not outsource political leadership to individuals Ultimately, the goal should be to empower athletes — not overwhelm them. And back them up when they do. Their platforms are at their most powerful not when they’re forced into political commentary, but when they’re sharing stories, insights and perspectives that inspire participation, change communities and open doors for others.









