What top athletes do when they're not on the field: Side hustles that pay off
Side jobs aren't just for people looking to make ends meet. They're a strategic move, even for elite athletes earning six-figure salaries.
A growing number of NRL, AFL and AFLW players are founding breweries, opening cafes and launching clothing labels, creating incomes that will benefit them during and after their sporting careers.
The same strategy works for everyday Australians. A side job or side hustle gives you an extra income boost without full-time commitment, helping you meet financial goals without disrupting your regular routine.
The difference? Side jobs are part-time, freelance or flexible roles with some structure, like regular hours or client commitments. Side hustles are more flexible, letting you work at your own leisure without a set schedule or second boss.
Leah Lambart, Career Coach at Relaunch Me, says side work is an effective way to figure out what you enjoy and whether you want to take it further into a more permanent career change.
"It's good to test something out, like a career experiment, before you go full-time in a new career path or follow a business idea," Lambart says.
Often people use the skills they already possess to start a side job or hustle, though further training might be required depending on what type of work you're pursuing. Remote-work culture has also made it easier to find side gigs that match your skills and interests, and increase your ability to work from home during your free time.
Here's how NRL, AFL and AFLW stars have created their own side incomes:
Nathan Cleary
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary founded the Drink West Brewery, a local craft beer company, with fellow athletes, Tai Tuivasa and Tyson Pedro.
The brewery opened its doors in 2022 and Cleary has noted publicly he was inspired to take part to learn something new and to develop skills, particularly business skills, for “after-footy”.
Angus Crichton
The Sydney Roosters star is also the owner and CEO of AC FLO, a popular barbershop in Bondi Beach.
Crichton has been learning to hone his barbering skills while also studying.
Crichton has revealed he completed a Diploma in Small Business at the Elite Athlete Business School; a Certificate IV and Diploma in Small Business; and he is also undergoing a course in Negotiation with the Harvard Business School Online.
Maddi Newman
The AFLW Crows player owns a clothing business called Seeing Double with her twin sister, Hallie, which they launched in 2022. The siblings also operate a successful social media account as content creators.
Nell Morris-Dalton and Grace Campbell
The AFLW stars both studied to become nurses and worked in the medical profession while playing footy. Morris-Dalton worked juggled her athletic career with working as a nurse to make ends meet. Campbell is also a registered nurse and works in critical care.
Jarome Luai and Brian To’o
The pair formed a bond when they both played for the Penrith Panthers. While To’o is still with the team, Luai moved to the West Tigers but by then they had already formed their own clothing label, Universe 7.
The entrepreneurs admit it’s been a good learning curve, as they are heavily involved in designing and manufacturing the clothing range.
Christian Petracca
The AFL player for the Gold Coast Suns created a name for himself by posting his healthy recipes on social media, running a cooking channel on Instagram and TikTok.
Petracca says he learned to cook from his mum and then developed his skills over the years before starting his own side job with a food focus.
He has joined OnTrac5 to share his performance-based recipes on that platform.
Will Hayward and Isaac Heeney
The Carlton Football Club Aussie Rules player, Will Hayward, co-founded alcohol company Doozy Drinks.
Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney also joined the business venture giving the former teammates a lucrative side job.
Brody Mihocek
The Melbourne Demons player is co‑owner of Whiplash Cafe in Hawthorn, Melbourne.
He joined former AFL player Jordan Roughead to take part in the business, which has been turned into a trendy and popular cafe.
Nick Daicos
The AFL player co-founded Barry’s Drinks, which focuses on creating low-calorie and low-carbohydrate alcoholic beverages.
The company also sells merchandise, which has allowed him to learn new business and marketing skills.
Lulu Pullar
The Sydney Swans star combines her AFLW career with being a doctor, and has worked in emergency departments during the off-season. She studied to become a doctor at Bond University and said she learned some valuable and sustainable skills for her future.
Anne Hatchard
Anne became a qualified lash technician to learn how to do eyelash extensions as a possible side hustle.
Before taking on a side job or hustle, Lambart says people should figure out if they have enough time to dedicate to it and clear it with an accountant to ensure they won't be adversely affected at tax time.
Whether you're planning for a career transition or simply looking to diversify your income, the key is finding something that matches your skills, interests and available time.
Here are 50 side job ideas to boost your income.
