ERASMUS+ PROJECT PRIORITIES NATURAL AFTERMATCH HORIZONS ATHLETE’S DIRECTIONS
START OF NEW ACTIVITIES PARTNERS PROJECT MEETINGS
SIDE HUSTLE IN EXAMPLES CONTACT

ATHLETE’S NEW CHOICE

SIDE HUSTLE
IN SPORTS
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SIDE HUSTLE PHILOSOPHY

Side HUSTLE’s main goal is to build and strengthen the awareness of athletes about the possible directions of personal development after the end of a sports career. Side HUSTLE is a new idea to plan a two-track career of a player by gaining experience during a sports career. These can be minor activities, thanks to which the athlete will gain experience and competences, but, what is important, take so little time that the most important remain training and competitions.

SIDE HUSTLE PHILOSOPHY

Side HUSTLE’s main goal is to build and strengthen the awareness of athletes about the possible directions of personal development after the end of a sports career. Side HUSTLE is a new idea to plan a two-track career of a player by gaining experience during a sports career. These can be minor activities, thanks to which the athlete will gain experience and competences, but, what is important, take so little time that the most important remain training and competitions.

ERASMUS+ PROJECT PRIORITIES NATURAL AFTERMATCH HORIZONS ATHLETE’S DIRECTIONS START OF NEW ACTIVITIES PARTNERS PROJECT MEETINGS SIDE HUSTLE IN EXAMPLES CONTACT

ERASMUS+
PROJECT PRIORITIES

The Side Hustle in Sport project focuses on two main priorities of the Erasmus program: the horizontal priority - fusion and diversity in all fields of education, youth training in sport, and at the same time, the sectoral priority: promoting education in sport and through sport. As stated in the White Paper on Sport, any sport that is to embody European virtues should approach citizens and deal with issues that are of direct relevance to them, making sport an effective means of self-improvement.

NATURAL AFTERMATCH HORIZONS

It is commonly believed that not every outstanding player becomes an outstanding coach. This is of course true, although there are many examples of excellent trainers who have previously been successful athletes. But there are also many examples of players whose coaching career failed. Therefore, there is no clear and obvious career path for players who finish their sports careers. But there are a number of ideas, activities and features that can naturally be of interest to players wondering “What’s next”?

They can be both related to sport, e.g. trainer, statistician, referee, sports scout, physiotherapist, manager, team manager, competition announcer, etc. But there are also a lot of examples of athletes’ careers in other sectors of the economy: finance, construction, media, fashion, politics, etc.

How to find the best path for yourself? That is a question.

ATHLETE’S DIRECTIONS

One of the most important decisions you can make while being an active player is to set up SIDE HUSTLE: a business or a project in which you can pursue your interests. Not only does it give you an opportunity for additional income, but above all, it builds skills and knowledge that will prepare you for life after the end of your career. There is nothing to lose either: SIDE HUSTLE gives you the chance to verify different ideas – if you are able to earn by doing this side HUSTLE, imagine what success you will achieve when you immerse yourself in this activity at 100%!

START OF NEW ACTIVITIES

The basic question seems to be when an active athlete should start looking for the future directions of development? Is there an optimal time to make such a decision in a sports career? In what direction do you look for to choose the optimal future life path for yourself? Is it possible to use the competence of an athlete in the future professional life?

The answer to the above questions is naturally a personal issue and involves numerous accompanying elements, mainly related to the natural predispositions of the athlete, acquired competences so far, e.g. education, knowledge of foreign languages, etc. The common ground for all answers seems to be the one related to the time that the athlete has to make a decision. The faster the ideas toward which the player looks will be checked and confirmed in practice, the greater the comfort in the form of additional time to acquire qualifications will be - without prejudice to the most important thing, i.e. a sports career.

PARTNERS

The partnership includes 3 organisations from 3 countries that either share common issues or have good practices around handling them. The issues and their connection to the objectives are presented following the organisations. The participating organisations are as follows:

Towarzystwo Sportowe Iron Man/Gogolin, Poland

Is a non-profit sport organisation working in the area of training and sport innovations. The organisation was created in Gogolin/ Poland in 2002 aimed to respond to the challenges of the human capital management in sport organisations and socio-labour inclusion.

Universidad Del Pais Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea/Bilbao, Spain

UPV/EHU is a teaching and research institution officially founded in 1980. The UPV/EHU has been recognised as an International Research Campus of Excellence by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN).

Interactive Media Knowledge Transfer (InterMediaKT)/Patras, Greece

Is a NGO working on vocational education, training and innovation. It aim at supporting, inspiring and empowering actions of evolving business and entrepreneurship.

PROJECT MEETINGS

Vitoria/Spain

Hosting: Universidad del País Vasco
06.06.2022

Patras/Greece

Hosting: INTERMEDIAKT
23.05.2023
examples sidehustle

ŁUKASZ / BASKETBALL

Łukasz (Poland/basketball) – an active basketball player, several years of sports career at the highest level, financially - 100% of earnings in sports. Rich national team career (basketball 3x3), medalist of national and international games
Poland
Side Hustle: A Camp Counselor
Country: Poland
In the case of Łukasz, the closest family was the main inspiration for his activity - his wife, who ran different camps such as camps for children and teenagers, informed him that she needed help during those camps she organized as part of her own business activity.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The athlete made the decision to engage in the activities related to the function of a camp counsellor at a time when his career was at its peak.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The work of a youth camp counsellor, sports animator, educator during holiday periods, coinciding with breaks in competitions. This is an activity not interfering with league participation, partially interfering with the pre-season, which requires planning this activity and various preparations and arrangements.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After completing his formal education (pedagogical studies graduation), Łukasz started working as an animator of children’s sports. He works in educational units, youth centres and social projects, specializing in the organization of physical activities.
He is particularly active in the projects promoting physical activity for under-active children, including those who are obese, disabled and at risk of exclusion in large urban centres.

TOMASZ / BASKETBALL

Tomasz (Poland/basketball) - former basketball player, an athlete representing clubs at the highest level of domestic competitions; for several years of his career he earned 100% of earnings as a professional athlete - practically throughout his all career as a professional player.
TOMASZ
Side Hustle: Sports Reporter
Country: Poland
The source of knowledge about the selected direction of Side Hustle in this case was an inquiry from a TV broadcaster regarding the need for a sports reporter covering basketball matches.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The end of a sports career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Tomasz initially, still as an active player, took part in television broadcasts of basketball matches, as an expert, an experienced competitor who complements the programme host. Over time, the more the level related to the choice of the Side Hustle direction increased plus there appeared subsequent invitations and more and more frequent work as a sports reporter at an increasingly higher level, the more Tomasz felt the need to develop this Side Hustle idea of his choice.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

The time of the decision to focus on a new, chosen direction of Side Hustle was made after the end of his sports career. The originally chosen direction of professional development was related to taking up activity as a trainer, not a sports reporter. Over time, the amount of time devoted to Side Hustle activity - work as a sports commentator, initially treated as a supplement, later turned into the main direction of his activity. It should be emphasized that the change from an additional activity into a leading activity meant that the activity treated so far as a complementary element became, over time, the activity constituting the main source of income related to the previously practiced sport discipline.

NIKOS / TAEKWONDO

Nikos (Greece/taekwondo ITF) – Nikos is a professional teakwondo fighter who participated in the highest level of Greek championship. He is a multiple national medalist.
NIKOS
Side Hustle: Sports Animator
Country: Greece
Nikos Side Hustle directions are naturally related to jobs included in his undergraduate studies, such as camping executive, skipper (boat driver) for the summer season. In the winter season he earns his money as a ski coach, TKD club academy coach and as a personal trainer.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

At the very beginning of his career, Nikos decided that he would combine sport with other sources of income. It was mainly due to the fact that in the sport he represents, you do not earn a lot of money, enough to live a good life.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Nikos Side Hustle direction was directly connected to his undergraduate studies.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After the end of his sports career, Nikos opened his own company. He cooperates with the sports club he represented. He lives by the sea, which makes it easier for him to get commissions in the summer. His motto is: chase your dreams , believe in yourselve, work hard and do not give up, as well as put yourselve and your wants first. Do not neglect your education, because sport career has an expiration date, while education is timeless.

WOJTEK / BASKETBALL

Wojtek (Poland/basketball) – a former basketball player, as an athlete representing clubs at the lower level of domestic competitions, for several years of his career, practically from the beginning of his career, he combined earning money in sport with other forms of gaining financial resources.
WOJTEK
Side Hustle: Sports Statistician
Country: Poland
In the case of Wojtek, the source of knowledge about the chosen direction of Side Hustle was the information read in the social media of a local sports club, regarding the need for a statistician supporting basketball matches. Wojtek took part in a free licensing course for statisticians organized by the Polish Basketball Association. An interesting fact is that the organized course was conducted virtually in the on-line formula. Wojtek did not incur any costs related to obtaining a new professional qualification.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The decision to take up the new activity was made by the player after the end of his career. This was due to the fact that at the time when he was still practising sports competitively, there were no official internet statistics during basketball games.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

During Wojtek’s sports career, no official internet statistics were kept during basketball matches.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

The direction of Side Hustle - working as a sports statistician - is generally associated with the place of residence, however, depending on the place of the assignment, it is associated with the need to travel to the supported competitions. The amount of time spent on the Side Hustle activity is treated as a typical complement, an opportunity to pursue a passion for his favourite sport, i.e. basketball. It should be emphasized that the specificity of the activity performed, despite the fact that it brings satisfactory financial benefits, is still a complementary activity in relation to the main source of income, which is not related to sport.

MARIA / BASKETBALL

Maria (Spain/basketball) –Maria is a Spanish top level basketball player. Financially 100% income from sport. She is active and still plays in the highest category of basketball in Spain, she also played for the National team
MARIA
Side Hustle: Personalised Training And Coaching
Country: Spain
Throughout her career, María has felt the lack of personal trainers for high-level players. Little by little, she has perceived a need that has pushed her into a side hustle as a personal trainer and coach. Besides, her experience qualifies her for consultation in basketball at any level of practice and organisation.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

With only few more years in perspective before retirement, María has started a company that offers coaching services together with a partner. It is the great experience that she has had throughout her career that has led her to see the need and shape it.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

To complement her qualification in business and basketball, she found a partner who complemented the field of training and coaching. She is well known and remains active in the world of basketball, which helps her develop the project.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

At the moment, professional basketball is her main activity, but any free time is devoted to develope the new activity. She is planning to finish her qualification as a coach complementary to the other partner in the future.

PATXI / SPEED SKATING

Patxi (Spain/speed skating) – Patxi is a speed skater in active, twice a World champion. In need to complete sports earnings.
PATXI
Side Hustle: Coaching, Promotion, and Online Commerce
Country: Spain
Patxi is determined to locally promote and develop his minority sport while trying to be competitive. He is engaged with his club and launched an online sales services of the brands he trusts the most.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Patxi is an ambassador of Basque Team and a top skater, but skating is not a profession in Spain whatsoever. The impulse to promote and spread his beloved sport while still active is mandatory to him.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Skating is not only a competitive practice, although the line of products he is dealing with at peulastore comes from tip manufacturers. This activity is complemented with the promotion of leisure practice of skating and conferences.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Patxi is still an active athlete, but he is already developing his new direction of interests with great success.

EWA / VOLLEYBALL

Ewa (Poland/volleyball) – former volleyball player, several years of sports career at the highest level and in lower leagues. During the career financially - 100% of earnings from sport (signed sports contracts).
EWA
Side Hustle: Volleyball Trainer
Country: Poland
In the case of Ewa, from the very beginning of her career, there was her natural interest in the practised sport; she liked the way the trainings were conducted; she liked having contact with people; it was easy for her to implement the tactical assumptions outlined by the coaches during trainings and competitions. She felt satisfaction when what the trainer explained theoretically came out in practice.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

From the very beginning of her career, Ewa wanted to work as a coach when she finished her professional sports career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Initially, the activity of Side Hustle, i.e. conducting classes and trainings as a volleyball coach, was carried out during holiday periods, periods naturally not colliding with the leading activity, the volleyball season. Ewa, from the beginning thinking about her future after the end of her career, constantly tried to reconcile two main goals - being a professional athlete and being a trainer, thanks to which she naturally found an additional source of income.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Currently, after finishing her career, Ewa trains as a volleyball coach with children and youth groups. This is her Side Hustle activity in the initial development period, bringing a little financial satisfaction. It is treated as a complementary activity to the leading one, i.e. Ewa is a physical education teacher in a primary school. If the appropriate conditions are met - gaining more coaching experience, receiving a job offer from a professional league - it may be an occupation with a real perspective of development in the full-time job in the future. It is important, however, that if this happens, there will be absolutely no resignation from the second track of her professional career path - Ewa will not give up her job as a school teacher.

GRZEGORZ / FOOTBALL

Grzegorz (Poland/Football) – as a football player representing clubs at the lower level of domestic competitions, for several years of his career he always financially, practically from the beginning of his career, combined earning money in sport with other forms of obtaining financial resources.
GRZEGORZ
Side Hustle: Financial Advisor
Country: Poland
In the case of Grzegorz, the inspiration for his interest in the chosen direction of Side Hustle was his private passion for managing personal finances, initially his own finances. Practically from the beginning of his sports career, the player was aware that his sports potential was too low to bring measurable, satisfying financial benefits in the long term.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Early career. Over time, the more the sports level decreased, the more Grzegorz felt the need to develop his own, chosen idea of Side Hustle - financial counselling to others.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The amount of time devoted to the Side Hustle activity was initially treated as an additional activity, supplementing the budget.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After the end of his sports career, the amount of time spent on Side Hustle activity, initially treated as a supplement to the budget, over time turned into a full-fledged source of income, which resulted in an increase in measurable financial benefits. Better earnings, more money in the budget, at the same time less and less time for training, ultimately resulted in a positive sense that the additional activity turned into his full-time job.

JACEK / BASKETBALL

Jacek (Poland/basketball) – active basketball player, several years of sports career at the lower level of national competitions. Financially, practically from the beginning of his career, he combined earning money in sport with other forms of gaining financial resources.
JACEK
Side Hustle: Basketball Coach
Country: Poland
Jacek has always been interested in sports and basketball. He comes from a sports family - his father was a basketball coach and from an early age he took his son to trainings, sports camps and other coaching events, which made him think about the direction of his own professional future very early.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Early career

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Side Hustle’s activity, initially during holiday periods, over time, after completing formal education - graduating from pedagogical studies - changed from an additional activity to his full time job. Jacek, as an active player, at the same time as a full-fledged coach, conducts classes with athletes as part of classes in a sports club and at school, where he is a physical education teacher.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After the end of his sports career, Jacek plans to develop his coaching career in a fluent and natural way, combined with working as a physical education teacher. Jacek does not rule out a situation where, when he receives a professional and financially satisfactory offer to become a coach of a professional basketball team, he will resign from his job as a physical education teacher at school and devote himself 100% to a coaching career.

MACIEK / BASKETBALL

Maciek (Poland/basketball) - as an athlete representing clubs both at the highest and lower level of domestic competitions, for several years of his career he always financially, practically from the beginning of his career, combined earning money in sport with other forms of obtaining financial resources.
MACIEK
Side Hustle: Sports Competition Announcer
Country: Poland
The source of knowledge about the selected direction of Side Hustle in this case was the information provided in the social media of the local sports club, regarding the need for a technical announcer of sports competitions, servicing basketball matches. Maciek took part in the announcer’s course organized by the Polish Basketball Association and received the right to work as an announcer during basketball matches.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The decision to take up the new activity was taken after the end of the career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

No activity during sports career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Over time, the more the level associated with Side Hustle’s chosen direction, i.e. handling basketball competitions as an announcer, rose to a higher and higher level, the more strongly Maciek felt the need to develop this particular Side Hustle idea of his choice.
The Side Hustle direction is connected with his place of residence, without the need to change the place of residence. The amount of the time devoted to the Side Hustle activity, initially treated as a supplement, over time turned into the main direction of activity. It should be emphasized that despite the change from an additional activity into a leading activity, the specificity of the activity still remains an activity supplementing the main source of income, not related to sport. An interesting fact is that Maciek decided to expand his competences and qualifications as an announcer, i.e. he took part in a competition announcer course organized by the Polish Football Association and received official permission to work as an announcer at every level of national football games.

MIKEL / PELOTA

Mikel (Spain/pelota) – Mikel was a professional «Basque pelota» player (pelorari). His income came 100% from sports practice. He got to qualify to play the finals in one tournament before an injury forced his retirement at an early age.
MIKEL
Side Hustle: Bussiness Entrepreunership
Country: Spain
Professional pelota is very attached to the industrial fabric of the Basque country. In fact, this sport is run by a couple of franchises that operate in a business-like environment. This reality inspired Mikel to pay attention to opportunities and personal liasions. The personal connection to a person who already ran a funeral home made him confident enough to invest on the project.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The pelotari decided to start a funeral home business with a partner in his hometown at the peak of his career, which was meant to be the first of his ventures. As he said, being a professional sportsperson opens many gates ready to be crossed if willing to.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Mikel Idoates’ career had an early ending due to a severe injury. Fortunately, he had already set up the project and finished his degree in Law, so he could start making it real.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

There was a good harmony and he began to project the creation of a funeral home once he learned that the injury would prevent him from playing again After finishing his sports career, Mikel began running dull time a new funeral home that offers all kinds of services. Being known and respected as a pelotari definitively helps him run the business with success.

SEBASTIAN /BASKETBALL

Sebastian (Poland/basketball) – former basketball player, has a dozen or so years of sports career at the highest national level (Polish Basketball League). Throughout his career, his only source of income was sport. He signed professional sports contracts with the clubs he represented. It was his only source of income - 100% of his earnings came from player contracts
SEBASTIAN
Side Hustle: Real Estate Agent
Country: Poland
In the case of Sebastian, the main inspiration to undertake the above-mentioned activity was the fact that being a professional athlete, as a young, active competitor, he observed the surrounding reality and at the same time he analysed what he could be doing in the future.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The initial decision to start a new Side Hustle path was made by Sebastian during his early career. His own thoughts related to the fact that an athlete’s life is inextricably linked with the real estate market, i.e. professional athletes have to rent an apartment in every place where a contract is signed, reinforced his natural interests of real estate market.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The time of a conscious decision to develop the chosen direction of Side Hustle in the case of Sebastian is a career in the final period - the end of his career. The direction of Side Hustle in this case is connected with the place of residence.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

The Side Hustle activity, initially treated as a complementary activity, over time became a leading activity. Completing formal education (obtaining a real estate agent and manager license) brought him satisfactory financial benefits, and at the same time great personal satisfaction. Over time, there was a change of his business on the real estate market from a complementary activity to his full time job. Sebastian has opened and runs his own real estate brokerage and rental company.

ARTIZ / SURFING

Artiz (Spain/surfing) – Spanish professional surfer. In 2008, he was ranked among the ASP Top 45 after having won the 2007 ASP European Title. In 2007 he was named “Best Basque Sportsman”.
ARTIZ
Side Hustle: Surf Academy and Restaurant Bussines
Country: Spain
Upon returning from a competition in Africa, he realised that surfing could be used for certain therapies and inclusion while promoting the sport too. At the same time, he started to think about his future when his professional surfing career finished.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Aritz has always been aware of the risks inherent to professional sports practice. Besides, his commitment to local community made also part of his decision to start the academy.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The main goal was to have an approach to surf that may works as well as in other sports: weekly team training, individual and group progression, follow-up in championships, advice to families, and so on.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

shelter.surf offers a wide range of services and activities conducted by qualified instructors and coaches along the whole year, for any level of skill, and for schools too.

GRZEGORZ / FOOTBALL

Grzegorz (Poland/football) – former footballer, several years of sports career at the highest level and in lower leagues. During hie career he made 100% of his earnings in sport.
GRZEGORZ
Side Hustle: Manager
Country: Poland
From the beginning of his career, Grzegorz showed a natural interest in his sport - football. The time to make a conscious decision to start a new Side Hustle path was made after the end of his career. From the very beginning, there was no interest in working as a coach after the end of his professional career. Side Hustle destination is connected with his place of residence (no need to change his place of residence).

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

After the end of his career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Already during his career, Grzegorz, thinking about the future direction of Side Hustle, used the contacts he naturally established during his career with sports clubs, organizations, management agencies, etc., preparing the ground for starting his new business in the future. In general, he signalled that he would be ready to effectively represent interested players and, using his previous, extensive field experience, take care of their interests.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

In the case of Grzegorz, the activity of Side Hustle - working as a manager representing players - is an activity in the initial stage of development, bringing moderate financial satisfaction. If the right conditions are met - gaining more experience, establishing contacts with young players interested in cooperation, receiving a job offer in a management agency, etc., - it may be an activity with a real prospect of development into a full time job, with high earning potential in the future.

YERAY / SWIMMINIG

Yeray (Spain/long lasting swimming) – Yeray is a long lasting swimmer and coach, recently retired. Member of the Spanish Olympic team and National and International medalist.
YERAY
Side Hustle: Sporting Goods Production
Country: Spain
Inspired by a competitor fellow who sold good quality swimming suits, Yeray and his partner focused on design and durability when producing their first line of training garments.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

They decided to come out with a brand named «Nada de nada» - an intended pun in Spanish hard to translate that speaks up about their spirit and intentions. They wanted to offer fun, easy to wear training suits for the regular swimmer at an affordable price.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Their venture was surprisingly successful, although economic return was never a goal - any income was immediately reinvested in the project, and the activity was never professionalised. Their contribution was on aesthetics and pattern making.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Yeray has decided to go definitively for it, dropping off his coaching duties and owning the company in solo. As he states in https://nadadenada. shop , they want to make a difference from bigger brands in terms of design, sustainability, and creativity; he tries to take rap, surf, skateboarding to the swimming pool, and he may have well made it!

AITOR / SURFING

Aitor (Spain/surfing) – Aitor is a adapted surfer, world champion; most of his earnings come from sports (prizes and public granting).
xxxxxxx
Side Hustle: Motivational Coach
Country: Spain
Aitor is a mature and active, successful competitor in adapted surf who opened the first teaching academy in the Basque country, sadly closed down some years ago. He has published some handbooks on surf teaching and practice.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

His hope and desire are adapted surf to be included in 2028 Olympics. After the closure of his academy, he has started a career as keynote presenter in schools, colleges and companies. Besides, he is collaborating with the Spanish Surf federation in the promotion of adapted surf.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Aitor is in alliance with a company that helps organising corporate events. His vital trajectory and the difficulties he had to overcome to succeed in sports are outstanding and worth to be known of.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Aitor has decided to run his own business. A company that deals with cooperation in the field of motivational support for athletes and people running their own business.

ADRIAN / BASKETBALL

Adrian (Poland/basketball) - a basketball player representing clubs at the lower level of domestic competitions; for several years of his career - practically from the beginning of his career - he combined earning money in sport with other forms of gaining financial resources.
ADRIAN
Side Hustle: DJ (Music)
Country: Poland
The source of knowledge about his Side Hustle in this case was his passion for music, and at the same time his willingness to remain in the sports environment, not necessarily as a trainer. Practically from the beginning of his sports career, the player was aware that he would not be interested in working as a trainer.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Early career

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

During the career, over time, the closer Adrian got to the end of his sports career, the more he felt the need to develop his own chosen idea of a Side Hustle - working as a DJ, securing the musical setting during both sporting and non-sporting events.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After finishing his sports career, Adrian plans to develop his passion in a smooth and natural way. The direction of his Side Hustle is related to his place of residence - he cooperates with local sports clubs. It is worth emphasizing that the amount of time spent on his Side Hustle activity - initially treated only as a supplement to the budget - over time resulted in increased measurable financial benefits - more orders, better earnings, more money in the budget. The idea of his Side Hustle has changed from an additional activity into a full-fledged occupation that brings measurable, satisfying financial benefits. Adrian has set up his own company and runs it successfully.

KERMAN / BOXING

Kerman (Spain/boxing) – professional boxer, welter and superwelter European champion, he started to complement income with real estate investments early on in his career.
KERMAN
Side Hustle: Medical Representative
Side Hustle: Real Estate and Events Organisation
Country: Spain
Kerman has always been interested in real estate, being relatively easy for him to find good opportunities to buy at the right time and personally manage them. More recently, he has started to promote and organise boxing events while still active.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Boxing is an extremely demanding sport at any weight level, and Kerman has been certain of the need to invest in his financial future from the very beginning. Competitive and business success allow him to considerer other options further in his career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Attentive to the market, he is the owner of different assets ready for rental.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Kerman is still active, although his diversified activities will allow him to keep in both domains wisely protected.

FILIP / BASKETBALL

Filip (Poland/basketball) - a former basketball player; an athlete representing clubs both at the highest and lower level of domestic competitions; for several years of his career he has been financially combining (practically from the beginning of his career) earning money in sport with other forms of obtaining financial resources.
FILIP
Side Hustle: Basketball Referee
Country: Poland
The source of knowledge about the direction of his Side Hustle in this case was the desire to improve his own qualifications as a basketball player. Filip took part in a basketball referee course organized by the parent sports association.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

The time of the decision to start a new Side Hustle path was when his career was in the final period. Over time, the more the level related to the choice of the Side Hustle direction - refereeing basketball competitions at an increasingly high level - rose, the more Filip felt his need to develop this, a bit accidentally, his Side Hustle idea.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

During his sports career, the chosen direction of Side Hustle, basketball refereeing, due to the limited possibilities related to time availability, was a typical supplement to the main activity - being a player.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

The idea of Side Hustle, initially treated as a supplement to a sports career, over time turned into the main direction of activity - the end of a player’s career and a smooth transition towards being a referee. In this case, it should be emphasized that despite the change from an additional activity into a leading activity, the specificity of the activity performed has little chance of turning into a full-time job.

ROMAN / ICE HOCKEY

Roman (Poland/ice hockey) - former ice hockey player, several years of sports career at the highest national level (Polish Hockey League), financially from the very beginning, during his career, he was involved in sports, and at the same time he sought for other sources of income; he combined earning money in sport with income from non-sporting sources.
ROMAN
Side Hustle: PERSONAL TRAINER
Country: Poland
As a young, active player in a discipline directly related to strength sports (training of hockey players at the gym), Roman naturally observed the surrounding reality, had his own thoughts on future career directions, while at the same time having natural interests directed towards improving his own physical form (fitness)

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Career in the final period - career decline.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The direction of Side Hustle is related to the place of residence (without having to change the place of residence). Roman’s Side Hustle activity, working as a personal trainer, was initially treated as a complementary activity; over time, it became a leading activity, after completing formal education (obtaining a personal trainer’s diploma), bringing satisfactory financial benefits, financial satisfaction. Over time, there was a change from the complementary activity to a full-time job.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After gaining more experience, establishing contacts, completing education (personal trainer diploma), Roman started working as a licensed personal trainer. He runs his own business, cooperates with a large network gym, specializing in preparing individual training programs for athletes and people not related to sports.

ADAM / BASKETBALL

Adam (Poland/basketball) - former basketball player, during several years of his sports career at the highest national level he made money in sports as well as from other sources of income, he combined earning money in sports with income from sources outside sports.
ADAM
Side Hustle: Physiotherapist
Country: Poland
Adam naturally, as an active player, had his own thoughts regarding the directions of professional development in the future, and at the same time his natural interests focused on taking care of his own health and physical form. This was due, among other things, to an injury he suffered during his career.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

He made a conscious decision to take up a new professional activity during his career. It was nearly at the end of his career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Adam initially treated the activity of Side Hustle, working as a physiotherapist, as a complementary activity. Over time, it became his leading activity. After completing formal education (graduation from higher education institution), it started to bring him satisfactory financial benefits and financial satisfaction. Over time, there was a change from the complementary activity to a full-time job.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

After gaining more experience, establishing contacts, completing education, Adam began to cooperate as a physiotherapist with a befriended sports club. Currently, he runs his own company, specializing in the preparation of individual physiotherapy programs for athletes and for ordinary people not related to sports.

PATRYCJA / BASKETBALL

Patrycja (Poland/basketball) – former basketball player, as an athlete representing clubs at the highest national and international level. For several years of her career, she always earned practically 100% of her income as a professional athlete.
PATRYCJA
Side Hustle: Competition Technical Commissioner
Country: Poland
In the case of Patrycja, the source of knowledge about the chosen direction of Side Hustle was the information provided by the Polish Basketball Association regarding the possibility of improving professional qualifications, gaining new competences by participating in an educational and training project aimed at athletes planning to retire. Patrycja took part in a project organized by the European Basketball Federation (FIBA) for athletes planning to end their competitive sports career.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Time after the end of her sports career.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

During her sports career, Patrycja, due to her level of competition - playing for the highest goals, medals of the Polish Championships, extensive national team career, etc. was not able to combine the leading activity - being a competitor - with the chosen direction of a Side Hustle.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Only after the end of her sports career the more the level related to the choice of her Side Hustle direction increased (working as a technical commissioner of basketball competitions organized by the Polish Basketball Association at an increasingly higher level up to the Polish top league), the more Patrycja felt the need to develop this very thing of her choice, her Side Hustle direction. The amount of the time devoted to the Side Hustle activity, initially treated as a supplement, over time turned into the main direction of her activity. However, it should be emphasized that despite the change from an additional activity into a leading activity, the specificity of the activity still remains an activity supplementing the main source of income, not related to sport.

ANDREAS / BASKETBALL

Andreas (Greece/basketball) – as a member of the small teams, despite playing at the highest level of national competition, form the beginning of his career he was financially involved both, in sports and in other sources of income.
ANDREAS
Side Hustle: Medical Representative
Country: Greece
Andreas knew from the beginning of his career that he would not want to become a coach after his sporting career ended. His coach always encouraged him and the other players to look at life without sport at the centre.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Apart from sport he worked on the subject he studied. He studied pharmacology in the US while competing in the NCAA league. So he got the opportunity to work at a pharmaceutical company in the mornings, in the afternoon he could train normally.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

After returning to the country, because of the pandemic, where sport in Greece stopped, he decided to focus on new activity. The company he worked for as a part time employee offered him a full time job, both professionally and financially satisfying. So it became his main occupation and source of income.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

At the moment, Andreas is currently in the process of being promoted at work. He stopped playing basketball professionally. Unfortunately, doing professional sport in Greece is difficult. Only a small percentage manages to play at the highest level and make money that will allow them to support life financially. Andreas realized that the second love, except for basketball, he has to offer to people, is to help them to be healthy. And so he became a pharmacist. He always emphasizes: Do what you like and manage to reach as high as possible, just be aware that few can make a living solely from sport without doing some other work.

IMANOL / PELOTA

Imanol (Spain/pelota) – Imanol is a Basque pelota professional player
IMANOL
Side Hustle: Stock Farming
Country: Spain
Even though he got a degree in physical education and sports sciences, in minority sports like Basque pelota it is necessary to look around for more options than those offered by the sport itself. In Imanol’s case, the way out was a comeback to his rural environment.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

To Imanol, taking advantage of the opportunities around professional sports is an important know-how of professional athletes.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Already during his sports career he started a small, part-time business of pig and cattle breeding, mainly for growth and fattening.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Imanol has specialised in cattle breeding working with different breeds. Apart from that, he is still doing some coaching for the love of the game.

ADAM / BASKETBALL

Adam (Poland/basketball) – a former basketball player, as an athlete representing clubs at the lower level of domestic competitions, for several years of his career; he always financially - practically from the beginning of his career - combined earning money in sport with other forms of obtaining financial resources.
ADAM
Side Hustle: Sales Representative
Country: Poland
The source of knowledge about the chosen direction of Side Hustle in the case of Adam were mainly contacts and relationships established in the sports environment (basketball) during the competitive period.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Practically from the beginning of his sports career, the competitor was aware that his sports potential was too low to bring measurable, satisfying financial benefits in the long term, at the same time he felt that he had natural predispositions to work with people - high communicativeness, willingness to learn new things, high resilience to stress, high assertiveness and empathy.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

The amount of time spent on the Side Hustle activity, initially treated as a supplement to the budget - working for a friend sponsor as a seller of sports goods, resulted in an increase in measurable financial benefits.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

Over time, the chosen direction of Side Hustle changed from an additional activity into a fullfledged job, where natural predispositions and skills acquired during a sports career are used. Adam took a full-time job as a sales representative selling sports equipment and accessories for athletes (dietary supplements, nutrients, vitamins, etc.).

MICHALIS / BASKETBALL

Michalis (Greece/basketball) – Michalis was a professional basketball player. During the career his income always came from sport as well as from the other sources. He got to qualify to play the finals in one tournament before an injury forced his retirement at an early age.
MICHALIS
Side Hustle: Personal Trainer
Country: Greece
Michalis has always been in sports since he was a kid. His coach at the younger ages helped him decide to do something different than basketball. The coach apart from the performance in basketball was always interested in the performance in school as he considered it essential for players progress.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

Michalis made the decision to start the new activity in his sport career at the peak moment. The money he earned from his career was not enough to provide him with a standard of living. He was lucky to get the knowledge about the possibilities from his own club and organization.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

Michalis if fortunate to have his own space where he does personal training. Generally, the Side Hustle direction is connected with the subject he studied. He chose this subject that is the subject of gymnastics because it is a subject around the field of sport and so he can help young gentlemen that he works with, as he works with academies, to develop in this field.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

The side hustle activity changed into a full time job after he finished his career. But it’s very important to mention that he has always had plan for the future.

«HERRI» / MOTORCYCLING

«Herri» (Spain/long lasting swimming) – «Herri» is a world level motorcyclist
HERRI
Side Hustle: Sales Manager
Country: Spain
Motor sports are unique in terms of financial requirements, and the way to GP championships is paved with stakes and scarcity alike.

DECISION TIME TO START A NEW SIDE HUSTLE TRACK:

«Herri» and his family founded a company called «Racing Tolua» to help and make the dream possible. They could take advantage of his being a racer to find a niche in the automotive oil sales industry.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY DURING SPORTS CAREER

From the very beginning their company was surprisingly successful. Even during his sports career, «Herri» focused on developing his business.

DEVELOPMENT OF SIDE HUSTLE ACTIVITY AFTER THE END OF SPORTS CAREER

racingtolua.com offer highly specialised services in engine lubricants. «Herri» became general manager and specialist due to his sports experience and relationships to motorbike makers.


CONTACT

TOWARZYSTWO SPORTOWE IRON MAN
ul. Strzelecka 67, 47-320 Gogolin/Poland

ironman@max-sports.pl www.max-sports.pl

Project manager
Maciej Guzik

macej.guzik@max-sports.pl

UE

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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