Dan Carter: I struggled with lack of identity and purpose when I stopped playing

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter with the Webb Ellis Trophy after winning the 2015 World Cup final. Photo / Photosport

Dan Carter has revealed that he struggled with a “lack of identity, of purpose” following the conclusion of his career.

It is why the former New Zealand first five-eighth has helped launch a new organisation, the Global Rugby Players Foundation, to help players manage life after retirement.

Carter discussed his reasons for getting behind the foundation over a video call from New Zealand and said: “When I was playing, I thought my sole purpose in my life and the reason I was put on this earth was to be a rugby player. I was avoiding life after rugby at all costs, especially in the second half of my career. I would find any excuse; signing new contracts overseas, travelling around the world, bouncing back from injury – because I was a little bit worried about what life would look like without rugby.

“When I went through that transition three years ago, what I really struggled with was lack of identity, of purpose. If I’m not Dan Carter the rugby player then who am I, who am I supposed to be? I found it really challenging. My camaraderie, that brotherhood being part of a team, that was gone. What was my purpose in life?

“I was surrounded by great people and got on the phone to learn from them, how they transitioned successfully out of a career. A lot of those people are members of this foundation, they shared a similar passion to me around helping to support players as they transition out of the game.

But also I learnt that what I was experiencing can be quite different to the next person, whether that’s physical or mental, the stresses and uncertainties, the loss of structure and not being part of a high-performing culture anymore, there are various things players have to deal with when they transition out of the game and that is the goal of this foundation, to have a support system for players all around the world.”

Other players behind the launch of the foundation include Rachael Burford, Thierry Dusautoir, Census Johnston, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith, Kristine Sommer, Jonny Wilkinson and Sharni Williams, working in partnership with World Rugby and International Rugby Players to provide support for all elite-level players with their life beyond the game.

Four pilot programmes for the foundation will begin on June 1 in Ireland, South Africa, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, with further funding rounds later this year. The foundation’s initial pillars will focus on access to health and wellbeing programmes, career and business coaching along with community support.

Sara Heath, the foundation’s chief executive, revealed the organisation would be backed financially by working with corporate partners and sponsors to either fund specific programmes or the foundation as a whole, with revenue from ticket sales another source of funding.

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s chief executive, said at the launch: “If Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson and Conrad Smith struggle with that moment of loss of purpose and identity, that transition, then imagine what it is like for a lot of players who do not have that same opportunity.

There are a lot of parts of the world where player associations are doing a good job, but their resources are stretched and they don’t have the resources to keep that connection going with players who have retired. With the foundation, we are trying to provide more consistency so that no matter where you are, or where you have played, if you are a professional rugby player this foundation can help you find the right services. It recognises that gap [after retirement] which we need to fill.”