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From rugby pitch to property: Leicester Tigers youngster joins NG for work experience

Leicester Tigers youngster Ben McMahon has swapped the rugby pitch for the world of commercial property after spending a week gaining work experience with NG Chartered Surveyors.

Ben, who is on the books at Leicester Tigers and has also recently had a trial with Ireland, joined the NG team to learn more about the property industry and gain experience of a potential career away from professional sport.

While the worlds of rugby and commercial property might initially appear very different, Ben said his week with NG had highlighted some important similarities.

“Obviously they are very different environments, but one similarity I have noticed is communication and the ability to communicate and accommodate people in different circumstances,” he said.

“The biggest thing NG Chartered Surveyors has taught me is the importance of preparation and working collaboratively.”

Those are qualities Ben is already accustomed to developing through rugby, where preparation, punctuality and maintaining focus are essential.

“Discipline is probably one of the biggest things rugby has taught me,” he said. “You have to turn up prepared, be punctual and stay focused, even when you’re tired.

“I’ve tried to bring that same attitude into my work experience. You can’t just switch off because something is unfamiliar.”

Ben’s rugby career has already presented him with opportunities to test himself at a higher level, including a recent trial with Ireland.

He described the experience as “pretty surreal” and said training alongside some of the leading players in his age group had given him a clearer idea of the standards required to progress.

“It showed me what it takes to get to the next level and where my weaknesses lie,” he said. “When you’re around the best players for your age, your skill set is put under more stress and pressure.”

Away from rugby, Ben’s week at NG has given him an insight into an industry he had previously known relatively little about.

He said one of the biggest surprises had been discovering the breadth of work involved in commercial property and how much happens behind the scenes.

“Before coming in, I probably didn’t realise how many different areas were involved in commercial property,” he said.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing how the business works and understanding more about an industry I hadn’t previously had much experience of.”

With competition for a career in professional sport intense and injuries or other circumstances capable of changing plans quickly, Ben believes it is important for young athletes to consider their options beyond the pitch.

“Nothing is guaranteed in sport,” he said. “I’ve always had an interest in commercial property and this week has really developed my understanding of the industry and the opportunities available within it.”

His experience has also reinforced the importance of managing the competing demands of sport, education, work and downtime.

Ben’s advice to other young people attempting to combine sporting ambitions with preparing for their future is to make the most of the time available to them.

“Plan your time and try to be as productive as you can,” he said. “When you’re working or training, be committed to it, but when you’re not, you need to be able to flip the switch, recover and relax so that you can prepare yourself properly for what comes next.”

For Ben, the immediate ambition is to continue developing his rugby career and push himself as far as possible in the sport. But his week at NG has also provided an important glimpse of another potential future and demonstrated that some of the qualities developed on the rugby pitch can prove just as valuable in the workplace.