Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is starting his own rugby league academy and has hinted that he could be set to pursue a career in coaching.
The former Parramatta star stepped back onto the footy pitch over the weekend, turning out for the Campbelltown Saints during at the Waminda Oval in Sydney‘s west.
It is only the second time he has played rugby league since he was released from Jail in 2024 after The New South Wales Court of Appeal quashed sexual assault convictions against him.
Hayne, 37, has also spent some time this year working with the Fiji national rugby league squad, and has dropped a major hint on how he plans to continue his rugby league career, with the former fullback revealing his new business venture, the Jarryd Hayne Rugby League Academy.
‘I’m proud to announce the launch of the Jarryd Hayne Sporting Academy!’ the former football player wrote during an announcement on Facebook.
‘Rugby League has given me so much throughout my career and I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the next generation of players.’
Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne (pictured) is starting his own rugby league academy and has hinted that he could be set to pursue a career in coaching
Hayne has now given a big hint at what his future could look like, with the former fullback revealing his new business venture, the Jarryd Hayne Rugby League Academy.
‘Coaching has always been a passion of mine, and this academy marks an important step as I transition into life after my NRL career,’ Hayne said
‘Coaching has always been a passion of mine, and this academy marks an important step as I transition into life after my NRL career.’
The sessions are set to take place in Parramatta and Wentworthville on Saturday, December 13, with players aged between 10 to 18 welcomed to participate in a free trial session.
‘I can’t wait to work with young talent, help develop their skills, and support them in reaching their full potential. Spots are strictly limited to 60 players.
‘There will be an opportunity for additional names to be placed on our waiting list.’
The ex-Parramatta player had spent a year in prison after a jury had found him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at her Newcastle home on the night of the 2018 NRL Grand Final.
The convictions were later overturned after a judge had erred in not allowing a complainant to be cross-examined during the trial.
As he fought the charges against him, the two-time Dally M medallist, who was once the highest-paid player in the NRL, earning $1million a season with the Eels and Titans, racked up several big legal bills.
This masthead wrote in 2023 that Hayne was estimated to be paying around $13,000-per-day on his legal team during the trial.
Hayne made his return to the footy pitch earlier this year, after he turned out for the Wentworthville Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup
Hayne had also taken up a coaching position with the Fiji national rugby league side in the past year
The former Parramatta and Gold Coast fullback was released from prison following a year behind bars after The NSW Court of Appeal quashed sexual assault charges against him
As a result, Hayne was forced to sell several properties in his portfolio, which Daily Mail understands to have once been worth around $5m. Some of those properties included trendy cottages and terraces in Sydney suburbs, as well as two apartments in Parramatta and a home in Umina Beach.
In March of this year, it was revealed that Hayne had sold his 16th-floor apartment in Parramatta for $690,000.
He had paid $600,000 for the flat back in 2013, while he was with the Eels.
Hayne’s finances took another blow while he was in prison after the footballer had been scammed for $780,000 in Bitcoin by a fellow inmate at the Cooma Correctional Centre.
One inmate is understood to have convinced Hayne and others that he had made big returns by investing with billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes.
The cash was transferred by people close to Hayne from outside of jail to an account that was controlled by people associated with the inmate.
Hayne has previously spoken on potentially making a return to play test footy for Fiji.
‘I want to do what I can to play Test football for Fiji at the end of the year. They’re due to play against Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands. That’s the aim,’ he said earlier this year.
The two-time Dally M Medallist, who was once one of the highest-earning players in the league, has been forced to sell off his property portfolio to pay for his legal bills
‘Wise [Kativerata, Fiji coach] called me last year and asked if I wanted to play. I told him I’m not in shape, and said: “I wish you had told me earlier because I would have played local footy”. I’ve been out of the game for so long.
‘I try to explain to people it’s about the contact. When you’re playing regularly, and you’re hit on a regular basis, your body gets [used to it].’
Reflecting on his absence from footy, he said: ‘It’s been a journey, but it’s life. We move forward.’
He added: ‘I probably didn’t miss it until about a year ago and it’s been a good break, I’ve enjoyed it. I love my sport, touch footy, Oztag, I’m always doing something.
‘To come out here – they’re a good bunch of boys.
‘For me, it’s about playing footy and having fun again.’
