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ABOVE: Darron Coleman in his riding days after booting home a winner at Murwillumbah. Picture by Stephen Senise RIGHT: Coleman’s Sirocco Café in Ballina

DARRON COLEMAN IS ONE OF SEVERAL FORMER JOCKEYS REAPING THE BENEFITS OF A SERIES OF INITIATIVES IMPLEMENTED BY RACING NSW & NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION WORDS & PICTURES: PHILLIP O’BRIEN

New careers loom for jockeys

Careers in the saddle don’t last forever and the Racing NSW Jockeys Assistance Program, launched by Racing NSW and the NSWJA, paves the way for

further education and fi nancial incentives that benefi t jockeys when retirement looms.

One of those key benefi ts is access to and funding of education programs to assist jockeys with planning their next profession or enhancing their current skills.

The NSW Racing Industry has partnered with TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute where courses can be completed by correspondence or by distance education which allows jockeys to complete their studies at their own place, and at their own pace.

“When I heard about the Jockeys Assistance Program, I enquired straight away,” Coleman said. “I established a coff ee shop called Sirocco in Ballina after my retirement in 2009.

“All jockeys know that racing doesn’t last forever and you need a career after racing. I, like a lot of jockeys, left school at a young age so there wasn’t much education.”

The Jockeys Assistance Program is supported by TAFE careers Counsellor, Paul Colwell (OTEN campus), who engages in a professional discussion with jockeys to determine their interests, skills and strengths.

After receiving some seed funding from the Jockeys Assistance Program and completing a barista course to provide him the coff ee making skills he needed, Coleman has increased his business turnover to the stage where he manages several employees.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support

INDUSTRY TRAINING

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of Paul Colwell,” Coleman said. “I encourage all jockeys out there to take advantage of the opportunity to further their education through the Jockeys Assistance Program as it has been a great benefit to me.”

Paul Colwell praised Coleman for taking advantage of the Jockeys Assistance Program: “Darron had been dedicated to his riding career from a young age, so when it came time to leave he had a chance to pursue his interests in food; something he had consistently thought about for a while,” Colwell said.

“Like many jockeys though, Darron did not have the chance to complete formal training in areas outside of racing. He contacted the OTEN Counselling & Career Development Service after being referred by Racing NSW, as part of the Jockey Assistance Program in August 2011.

“We spoke on a couple of occasions and tried to work out the best option for him to progress in the café he had become involved in.

“In reviewing his role in the business, existing skills, availability, and other career factors, a submission for barista and food safety training was made, with the view to eventually consider other training needs as Darron’s career continued to evolve.”

Paul Innes, from the NSW Jockeys Association, hopes more jockeys will take advantage of the opportunities on offer.

“The opportunity for former jockeys to retrain and start a new career has never been better in NSW following the collaboration between Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys Association,” Innes said.

“Jockeys in NSW considering a change of career can seek financial assistance from the Career Assistance Fund established by both organisations.”

Racing NSW’s Keith Bulloch said: “Darron’s progression from his start-up business to where he is now, is a prime example of the outcomes the scheme was designed for. His professional approach to the training and education helped him make this career transition by filling in in the skills gaps.”

As well as the training, the Jockeys Assistance program provided funding assistance to purchase a drinks fridge and other equipment needed for the business operated by Darren and his wife Cindy.

“Darron Coleman’s successful change to a different working life after the saddle is a great example for other jockeys that alternative options can be achieved,” Bulloch added.

For further enquiries regarding the Jockeys Assistance Program, contact Maurice Logue on 1800 200 724.