Former Welsh rugby player Jamie Roberts has had a whirlwind of a year. After retiring last summer, he celebrated a testimonial year, got married, and was appointed to the Welsh Rugby Union board as one of three new non-executive directors, where he has been able to raise £75,000 for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital charity. In addition, he has been busy with punditry work, caring for his two young children, and engaging in public speaking and corporate events surrounding matchdays.
Roberts has expressed that balancing these various responsibilities is enjoyable and fulfilling. His interest in pursuing a full-time career is on hold in consideration of the time he can spend with his children, recognizing that these years are precious and cannot be re-lived. He is also considering a role in coaching, inspired by his lifelong love for the game, however, he feels that his full attention should be devoted to coaching. Instead, Roberts feels that his new role with the WRU is the perfect opportunity to give back to Welsh rugby, sharing his experiences to benefit the greater good of the sport.
Following a year of hectic fundraising and events, Roberts now plans to take some time to reflect in Australia. During this time, he has worked on raising funds for the Noah’s Ark charity’s Tiny Lives Appeal, recognizing the profound impact his contributions will have. Roberts acknowledges that these efforts were made possible through the hard work of dedicated individuals and the support of generous sponsors.
The highlights of his testimonial year included the star-studded events attended by rugby’s biggest names, including special performances by James Dean Bradfield and The Stereophonics. With a profound sense of pride and gratitude, Roberts looks back on this year as an incredible and unforgettable experience.
The year ahead shows immense potential for Welsh rugby and Roberts looks forward to contributing as best as he can. He hopes that others in Wales, both individually and collectively, will take responsibility in nurturing the sport and its passionate community.
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