Mathew Sinclair has no qualms about becoming the poster boy of what kids shouldn't do in the quest of a career. Photo / HBT
Mathew Sinclair has no qualms about becoming the poster boy of what kids shouldn't do in the quest of a career. Photo / HBT
For all the rewards countless struggle
The seductive allure of a dream lucrative career in sport can be a fatal attraction.
Sure, there's no harm in having a flutter when the opportunity arises because the last thing you want to do is die wondering if you ever had what it takes to be a professional sportsperson.
But having a plan B or even C is a given, especially when starry-eyed youngsters dare to dream of obscene sums of money, travelling and escapism from reality.
Quite often when sportspeople are single and carefree, it seldom dawns on them how much the landscape of existence can mutate into a family habitat.
In some cases, it's inevitable because the socio-economic environment dictates there's nothing to lose when a family is already engaging in a fiscal trapeze act without a safety net.
Two cases from the Central Districts region, for different reasons, send a shiver up my spine.
Firstly, jockey David Walker's fall from grace since the racing industry's judiciary process found him guilty of betting on a horse he was riding against.
The Judicial Control Authority, an independent statutory body established under the Racing Act, banned the father of young children from riding for seven years and fined him $3000.
If and when he contemplates returning, he will be 45 to become eligible again.
With 872 winners and 45 at Group or Listed level since he started riding in the 1991-92 season, Walker reportedly testified he was struggling to make ends meet at home.
Moral compass aside, it seems impossible to imagine how any horse trainer or owner can offer Walker another stint in the saddle.
The element of trust will always be an issue. Every race he enters will come under intense scrutiny.
David Walker fell from grace after being found guilty of betting on a horse he was riding against. Photo / HBT
Is Walker reining his mount when coming into the home straight?
It's hard to think anyone can accept anything other than a winner from Walker as affirmation of an honest run.
What the jockey will do now to support his family is the burning question.
He, like other elite riders, had the chance to earn up to $100,000-plus a year but has blown it.
Even if he didn't flirt with the six-figure mark, some in many walks of life will gladly take home a pay pack hovering in the $50,000 to $70,000 vicinity.
Dropping out of school to carve a niche in any industry is commendable but sport is a huge gamble.
Injury, illness or falling out of favour with coaches can completely alter the blueprint.
That brings in the case of former international cricketer Mathew Sinclair, a total contrast to Walker - although he's another 38-year-old - whose life evolved around cricket.
While Sinclair finished prematurely in the international arena, he has been a knight in armour on the domestic stage with a rash of records to show for it for his major association, the Central Districts.
The batsman trained and perfected his trade with the diligence of a bat maker.
Sinclair was the Swiss Army knife, gladly slipping on the wicketkeeping gloves or happy to roll his arm to break a stubborn partnership if the captain chucked him the ball.
Other major associations dangled carrots at the height of his career but he remained staunchly loyal to the Stags.
While he jokingly says staying on the crease longer may have got nibbles from predatory bookmakers it never crossed his mind to bring his family, code and country into disrepute.
Yet the man they call Skippy today finds it difficult to find an honest day's work in his community to keep paying his bills.
His crime - living a sporting dream everyone knows and dares to engage in.
Snapping out of a recurring beautiful nightmare a few years ago, the future must have seemed murky.
He has no qualms about becoming the poster boy of what kids shouldn't do in the quest of a career.
With the rise of parenting as a competitive sport in ensuring children win scholarships or titles from community-based environments, the future must be daunting for Generation Y.
Should children be specialists or tread a path that enables them to switch codes if things are turning pear-shaped.
Specialisation worked for Sinclair but could he have worked on his golfing prowess to ensure longevity in sporting professionalism?
Should little Joey or Jill skip school to go to a national tourney so close to exams and, if so, which coach should they make unhappy - rugby, football, netball or hockey?
Are pushy parents erring in forcing their kids to choose one code over others too early or conversely shaking their heads because they believe they left it too late?
Of course, that is not to say Walker or Sinclair's parents were pushy. Not them but individuals often fend parental advice.
Hindsight is a great thing for Sinclair who impresses the importance of embracing study and/or work while playing.
