Retirement happens to every athlete in every sport. At the end of each season, Olympic cycle or due to other circumstances, countless athletes are faced with what may be the most difficult decision of their careers. And those in a position to make that decision for themselves are the lucky ones.
Eoin Morgan lead England to World Cup success in 2019
Eoin Morgan, for many the greatest white ball captain English cricket has seen, has decided it is time to call stumps on his career. At the age of 36 Morgan had already returned from international cricket, so the question for him and fans around the world was really, how long he might continue to play the franchise game? Today we got the answer as he announced his retirement from the sport "after much deliberation".
No matter how successful a sporting career is and the amount of money made during it, the transition to retirement can be hard for any player. The process of coming to terms with a complete lifestyle change that can include a loss of identity, removal of routine, lack of clear objectives and therefore a drop in focus are just a few of the issues most players face.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s psychologists such as Schlossberg and Haerle began to take notice of retirement from sport as it became apparent that athletes struggled mentally with what they termed the ‘transition’. Understanding of the difficulties faced by athletes following this major transition has now broadened. Professional sport is littered with examples of athletes that have suffered from occupational/financial worries, family and social problems, and in many cases substance and gambling abuses following retirement.
Many athletes don’t have the same opportunities Morgan will have. That is not to diminish the challenge he will face, but when your funding is cut as part of the Olympic programme, or your cricket county decides your services are no longer needed, the options such as media work, which he has now hinted at, mentoring or regularly appearing on the speaking circuit just aren’t as forthcoming.
In 2016 A research paper by Sophie Knights and colleagues from La Trobe University in Melbourne examined athlete transitions. They outlined how an athlete being able to accept the new chapter in their life and the degree to which this is done voluntarily seems to play a significant role in how athletes transition successfully into the next phase of their lives. In essence, if you can retire on your terms and have achieved your major performance goals, this is much easier than suffering a major injury or not having a contract renewed.
Whilst Morgan has suffered injuries in recent seasons when listening to his interviews over the past few years, it has been clear that this decision was coming and his ability to manage it in stages was a big part of his process. He was was in control, announcing his departure from the international game in June of 2022 and now stepping back from the game as a whole. Having dealt with perhaps the more attention grabbing announcement surrounding his international future, he could then create space to consider his role at other levels and his wider future.
Morgan seems to be in a good place to transition to the next stage of his life. He is talking about a change and continuing in a different manner rather than seeing it as the end. His age could also be a benefit, at 36 and a father his life is broader than just his sport. As franchise cricket continues to grow, coaching and TV roles are likely to be offered. He has also been working on a post-graduate diploma in strategic leadership and governance, which could well see him take a more administrative role in sport.
The transition to retirement for an elite athlete is never easy. The example of Eoin Morgan is though, one of the best examples of a player taking control over the decision. He has been able to exert some control over the process and has enjoyed a long and lucrative career. For many players, this is not the case. So, while we all enjoy looking back on those World Cup winning performances and listening to that soft Dubin accent in the commentary box, spare a thought for those battelling in the county game. When retirement strikes, they too will have to deal with a change of status, leaving behind a lifestyle that has helped shape their identity and livelihood without the control over the process or the means to easily transition to the next stage of their life.
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