About SFB Sport for Business

SFB Sport For Business was formed to help the individual sportsmen and sportswomen, providing hands on help and assistance to develop a player’s financial and commercial opportunities as well as their career development outside of sport.

It was a chance meeting and conversation with someone who worked for a professional sports association two and a half years ago, that SFB Sport For Business founder, Sally Ballardie, learnt that many elite sportsmen, especially within Rugby and Cricket, became anxious and struggled to plan for a career outside of sport as they approached retirement. After doing some research she found that when their playing days were coming to an end, there was little provision or assistance in place to help them explore business opportunities and plan their future.

Rugby, until a few decades ago was largely an amateur sport, played by men who already had careers and working lives outside of sport. But having turned professional, many young men came into the game from school and the clubs’ academies, and some had very little education/qualifications or training. Sally decided to get involved, initially with the RPA, helping players by way of mentoring, introducing them into her network and by organising work experience in a number of sectors.

After successfully helping numerous players in their future chosen fields, and two of them securing excellent jobs, Sally and her team are passionate that a structure is put in place for the transition for life after rugby. SFB has attracted investment, and has several relationships/contracts with companies that have now set up work experience programmes for the Players.

SFB Sport For Business is working not only with Players from the Premiership but also with some from the Championship and National One sides.

How can the team at SFB Sport For Business help…

• We understand that professional sportsmen/women focus on being the best within their field and achieving the highest honours possible - they are focused in their pursuit of excellence and the here and now.
• We offer business mentoring for each athlete and help to create opportunities in the fields that interest them and help to identify their strengths and enhance their core skills.
• We advise on any relevant qualifications needed in their chosen career, and in conjunction with the companies who are offering work experience, help them achieving these.
• We also help athletes who have been forced to retire through injury and whose sports careers have suddenly ended or need to take a different approach. We can help them to plan for their future and guide them through their business career.
• We recognise the need to educate and encourage our young future professionals who are at Academy level, thereby helping to shape their future through sport and beyond into the world of business.