Rachael Lynch OLY has been a goalkeeper for the Australian hockey team since 2006 and became conscious of what she wanted to do after she retired.
After considering he Rachael Lynch OLY has been a goalkeeper for the Australian hockey team since 2006r career transition and how she could create a new income stream for herself, Rachael decided to develop an online training programme for young goalkeepers.
Read how Rachael started her entrepreneurial journey and explore how you could make the most of your skills with theAthlete365 Business Accelerator.
I’ve been a goalkeeper with the Australian team since 2006, and I’ve done a little bit of coaching along the way. I’ve always felt there was a real need for good support and coaching for young goalkeepers because it’s a very specialised position and there aren’t many who have the skills and expertise in that area. That means the majority of kids come through their career without any specialist coaching.
Being based in Western Australia with the Australian team, I don’t get much time to do face-to-face coaching, but with the technology that’s around today I saw an opportunity to set up an online business where I could provide a platform for children – or goalkeepers of any age – to watch and learn from my videos. It’s been so satisfying to hear from kids who have completed the drills and tried their new skills in a game. They’re learning new things and its great to receive that positive feedback.
Remote control
Part of the reason I set STOMP up as an online programme was to allow me to do it remotely. I'd love to spend time coaching the kids face to face, but I've tried to set it up on a platform that allows me to coach whether I'm in Europe playing in a tournament, or training here in Perth. Wherever I am in the world, I can still be running the business. I'm also coming towards the end of my career, so life after sport is something I need to consider. With STOMP being online, it is an avenue I can potentially still pursue while I'm pregnant or even when I have kids.
Team support
I couldn’t have gone into this without the support of my brother. He has had quite a lot of experience in small business and is an entrepreneur himself. That made it a lot less daunting than jumping into it by myself. He’s taken care of the tech side of things, so I’ve just had to learn about running a business day-to-day and the way it operates. He’s educated me on things like bookkeeping and he’s a tough teacher, but he also tries to empower me to do things myself. It’s been great to be able to lean on him and learn from him. His support has been a big part of the business’s success.
Networks work
I love meeting new people. When I enter a room full of people I don't know, I love chatting and learning from them. I think all athletes need to maximise those opportunities because you never know where they might lead or when those contacts may be able to help you in the future.
For example, I’ve relied on people in my network for help with filming and advertising, and hopefully I can start to give back to those people with tickets to a game. I try to maximise those relationships because there are plenty of people who have more skills than I do in lots of different areas, and utilising their expertise might help to make my business more powerful in the long run.
Learn as you go
Athletes should immerse themselves in new things, take the opportunity to explore what they like, and then find a way to use the skills they’ve gained as athletes to create a career in business. I didn’t study for a business degree at university, but I’ve learned plenty along the way from the people around me and combined everything to run my own business.
Monetise your skills
Coaching is not for everyone, but if you're passionate about your sport, there will be a way you can give back while also monetising your skills. You are an expert in the field, so why wouldn't you try to help the up-and-coming kids who are trying to achieve the same dreams that you did? There are so many opportunities out there for you to consider.
Inspired by Rachael’s story and eager to start your own business adventure? The Athlete365 Business Accelerator is there to support you on your entrepreneurial journey.
