Plying his trade | Owen Pattie

Owen Pattie: Plying His Trade Beyond the Field

At League Ahead, we talk about athletes finding their ‘more’ beyond the field. Not because it distracts from performance, but because it strengthens it. When players invest in growth outside of sport, they build skills, perspective and resilience that carry directly into their careers.

For Canberra Raiders forward Owen Pattie, ‘doing more’ meant completing a trade while chasing his NRL dream.

Owen’s Story

After moving to Canberra, Owen had two years left on his apprenticeship in automotive technology. At the same time, he was playing in the Raiders’ Under 21s system, working towards a full-time NRL contract.

His routine was demanding. Work from 7am until 4:30 or 5pm, then straight to training. Some mornings began even earlier with gym sessions before clocking on. While his workplace supported his football commitments during the season, balancing both worlds required discipline and focus.

“It was definitely challenging,” Owen says. Mentally, it meant staying engaged through a full workday while continuing to push towards the goal of earning a full-time NRL spot.

A Foundation, Not a Backup

For Owen, his trade wasn’t a backup plan. It was a foundation.

It provided stability while he chased the uncertainty of professional sport. It built real-world skills alongside athletic ones. It gave him perspective through the ups and downs of a developing career and shaped the work ethic he now brings to football.

Now playing full-time in the NRL, Owen has a strong appreciation for the opportunity.

“I realise how grateful I am to have a job that I have, to play football full-time,” he says.

When the opportunity came to step into a full-time role, he was ready — not just as a player, but as a person.

Because when athletes choose to do more beyond the field, they don’t just add options to their future. They become more in their career and in life.