Ashton Sims is a name well-known in both the NRL and Super League after a number of years in both competitions.
Having made the move from the North Queensland Cowboys ahead of the 2015 Super League season, Sims signed on the dotted line for the Warrington Wolves.
The rampaging forward would stay for three years at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, registering 90 appearances and crossing the whitewash seven times.
He then moved to the Toronto Wolfpack where he spent the last two years of his career, playing 50 times and helping the Canadian side to Super League in the 2019 season.
Now, though, Sims has revealed where the end of his playing career took him.
“I wanted to make sure I did study for after I had finished playing rugby league,” Sims told the Spirit of Sport podcast.
“I transitioned into a company called the mental health movement where for 18 moths we traveled throughout Australia, looking to create and develop health in the workplaces, schools and sporting clubs through a comprehensive blueprint.
“We did that through training, education and resources and helping break down the stigma of those who are going through struggles with mental health and help support them.
“It gave me a different perspective on life and how people deal with trials and tribulations and the s**t we go through in life that’s really tough.”
Since returning to Australia, Sims has relocated back to where he grew up, helping juniors in the area get involved in rugby league.
“Now I’m the operations manager of a 7s rugby league competition on the south coast with juniors.
“I’ve really found a home here, I absolutely love it and I’m so passionate about my job.
“I get to focus on the sustainability of the sport in an area that means so much to me.
“Rugby league gave me the platform to be someone in this world and now I’m giving that back to the next generation.”
