Argentine and Newcastle Falcons rugby centre Gonzalo Tiesi is preparing for an equally successful second career when he retires from competitive rugby.
While he has been at the Falcons, Gonzalo has been preparing for a career off the pitch, which is showing the signs of being just as successful as his career on it. The 38 capped International Centre was part of the Argentine squad for both the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup and signed for the Falcons in 2013.
For the past nine months he has been studying with nesma for his Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Certificate in Professional Marketing. He has already passed the compulsory modules in ‘Marketing’ and ‘Integrated communications’ and has just received positive results for the elective module on Digital Marketing.
nesma director, Veronica Swindale has been working with The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) to encourage younger members of the squad to follow Gonzalo’s example to start planning for their life after rugby too.
Organised as part of The RPA’s Personal Development Programme (PDP), which aims to support and guide players with their personal and professional development, a section of Newcastle Falcons Academy attended a Brand You workshop, led by nesma. As a result 12 players went along to the recent North East Expo to explore some of opportunities open to them.
“For many of these players, rugby has dominated their life for over 12 years,” explained Veronica Swindale. “nesma has worked with individuals who have also changed careers, so we can use our experience to help them identify career options other than coaching. We can give them with some of the confidence many players can lack, too, when they have to present themselves to prospective employers.”
Mandy Thompson, RPA Personal Development Manager for Newcastle Falcons said: “nesma has been hugely supportive of the Personal Development Programme and The RPA and provided this incredible opportunity for players to attend a Brand You workshop followed by a communication and career exploration challenge at the North East Expo. Gonzalo attended both sessions and shared his valuable experience with the players, encouraging them to develop themselves off pitch and to embrace opportunities open to them whilst playing’’.
