Sheahan Ink: Collingwood player’s big venture in the US to strike it rich
Recently-retired Magpie forward Josh Thomas is heading to the US in a lucrative career move.
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Next year will be very different for recently retired Collingwood player Josh Thomas.
The soon to be married 30-year-old is off to Boston in the United States to further his professional career in the Venture Capital space by undertaking a role with Mendoza Ventures.
The firm is an early and growth stage Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity venture fund that provides an actively managed approach to VC.
But a third attempt at a wedding due to Covid restrictions with fiance Bree now scheduled for early February in Queensland’s Currumbin Valley is Thomas’s most important venture.
Thomas and his soon to be wife will take off for the States’ soon thereafter where the loved up couple will combine their long awaited honeymoon and his temporary move to the east coast of America.
“It’ll definitely be a unique experience. It’ll be good to do a bit of travel, but more importantly to get some really valuable experience,” Thomas told Sheahan Ink this week.
Thomas who played 123 games for the black and white of Collingwood is excited for what lays await in the next chapter of his life.
“I’m pretty content with my career,” he said.
“It’s hard enough to play 1 game which is sometimes forgotten and to have played over 100 I’m pretty happy with that, especially at such a great club,” referring to his time at the Magpies which started in 2013.
“I got to play in plenty of big games including a Grand Final. I got the full AFL experience.”
Many AFL players find retirement or delisting a harrowing experience as a large number are unprepared for what comes post football.
Thomas said the transition for him has been pretty good. He knew what he wanted to do post career, with his foresight somewhat of a blessing.
“I’m optimistic about the next chapter.”
“I feel like I’m fortunate because I’ve directionally known what I’ve wanted to do for a while, and I’ve been able to spend 5-6 years working towards that. So I feel like I’m pretty far down that path.”
“I do feel prepared not withstanding there will no doubt be plenty of ups and downs. I feel ready, and it feels like the right time,” the Queenslander said.
“The transition will definitely be an adjustment. I think embracing experiences like this is a part of it and the fortunate thing about playing for ten years is it can help open doors if you are willing to ask and reach out and be willing to learn.”
“It is hard and you have to start from the bottom and in many respects start again.”
A conversation with one of his mentors prior to season’s end may have helped Thomas in his decision to pull the pin on his career at Collingwood.
Mendoza Ventures CFO Scott Heyes spoke to Thomas about the options available to him after football with a Fellowship at Mendoza now locked in for 2022.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity. They are a highly credentialed and very experienced team and I’m sure I’ll take plenty away from it.”
But, the decision to retire was not based upon any conversation or opportunity from Mendoza, Thomas just said the time was right to walk away.
The Boston based VC fund will have Thomas live in Boston for anywhere between 6 weeks and 3 months depending on a myriad of factors including weather, time away from home and his (then) wife Bree.
“I have never been to Boston but I have been to the States’ 3-4 times
“I think it’ll be pretty cold when I get there, which will just add to the experience I guess.”
Typically, the weather for Boston in February averages around -4’ (Celsius).
As excited as he is for his new adventure in a foreign country, Thomas is already looking further afield to what his life looks like when he returns.
More study and working closely with GWS player and Athletic Venture founder Matt de Boer will give him more experience in the VC world.
De Boer founded Athletic Ventures of which Thomas is an investor along with 100 other athletes from various sports forming part of a growing community.
“We are lucky to have some great people involved and the community aspect has been really rewarding – I feel like we are just getting started with AV.”
“Bree and I will definitely stay in Melbourne next year, we are committed to that.
“Moving to Sydney is something we will consider in the medium term.
“The VC/start up space is a lot more active up in Sydney as well so the opportunities appear greater, apart from the cost of living,” he laughed.
BABY JOY FOR TV STAR AND FOOTY COACH
An emerging TV star will be forced to hang up her microphone early next year.
Former Miss World Australia model turned Seven Network TV presenter Amber Laidler and her Sydney Swans assistant coach hubby Jeremy Laidler are expecting their first child.
Laidler is close to 20 weeks pregnant with the loved up couple spending this week enjoying R&R at Sydney’s new Crown complex.
The Sunrise reporter spoke exclusively to Sheahan Ink this week about the wonderful news.
“Big surprise. We found out while Jez was away and we are over the moon,” Amber said.
“I actually found out because my fit bit indicated my heart rate kept rising and I thought it was weird.
“I stopped drinking the week before I found out cause I was having one or two wines a night which increased my resting heart rate, so I cut out alcohol which was a blessing in disguise in that sense.
“I ruled out everything else it could have been then did a test and then there was two lines,” she said.
“All smooth sailing so far, no morning sickness
“I’m starting work at the moment which begins at 4am which is making me a little tired, but other wise all good.
“Seven have been fantastic so they will be guided by what I want to do but my intentions are to work as close as possible to the birth.
“And I intend to work all the way up until the labour.”
Sunrise’s loss could be the Sydney Swans gain. Her husband Jeremy is an assistant coach.
The couple, who have recently bought a new place in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Maroubra, casually dropped the news everybody wants to know mid-sentence.
“We’re also trying to get a couple of extra renovations done before ‘HE’ arrives, so that’ll be good, which will be early next year,” Amber chuckled.
“Jez is over the moon as he’s been clucky for quite a while.
“We don’t have any family here (in Sydney) which adds another dimension to what this will look like.
“But we are surrounded by a great bunch of friends.
“Our best friends have just welcomed their first baby as well, so lots of people to show me the ropes.”
Amber and Jeremy spent the best part of the last week at Sydney’s Crown where Amber finally succumbed to the burgeoning belly bump.
“I couldn’t hide the baby bump any more, I’ve popped.
“I wasn’t really talking about it early days, I was trying to keep it to myself. I wanted to get to a point where I felt comfortable sharing it, but we’re at a point where there is no hiding it any more.
“We didn’t get to spend much time together this year as he was away in the hub for 3 months or so all up so the getaway to Crown aligned with my work schedule and he doesn’t have to go back for a few weeks.
“I had a few days up my sleeve with work and we’re about to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary next week so we thought we’d tie all it in …”
Amber Laidler (nee Greasley) won Australia’s Miss World back in 2011 and represented the country on the world stage in London.
MEDIA MAN UPSET
The Herald Sun’s controversial media top 50 has caused a few upset types this week.
One dual media personality called a high profile PR/crisis firm seeking information for a story, in what can only be described as a rude manner, only to be reminded of his lower than expected figure in the top 50 and the explanation to go with it.
The man around town was taken aback by the PR person’s return of fire and subsequently changed his tune.
Not sure the media man got what he desired.
BOXING BILLIONAIRE BACKS MELBOURNE BORN NBA BALLER
Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather has taken to social media to congratulate NBA star Kyrie Irving on his anti-vax stance.
Irving is a Melbourne born superstar who plays basketball for the Brooklyn Nets in America’s National Basketball Association.
He is now embroiled in controversy following his stance on Covid vaccinations which led to a protest outside an NBA game in New York last week.
Mayweather took to his personal Instagram and Twitter handles to heap praise on Irving who has missed the first 5 games of the Nets’ season.
“I know you are going through a lot,” Mayweather begins.
“When you represented America, when you represented the red, white and blue, you only wanted to be treated fair.
“You are a great person, a great father, a great athlete and you believe what you believe.
“America is the land of the free, freedom of speech freedom of religion and supposedly freedom to choose.
“I respect you for having integrity and for being your own man,” he continues.
“A free mind makes his own choices, a slave mind follows the crowd.
“Stand for something or fall for anything.
“One man can lead a revolution to stand up and fight for what’s right
“One choice, one action, one word can change the world.
“It’s crazy how people hate you for being a leader.
“I hope your actions encourage many others to stand up and say ‘Enough is enough’.
“Respect to you, Kyrie, and power to the people,” Mayweather concludes.
VOSS STARTS PREMIERSHIP TILT NEXT WEEK
Carlton’s quest to compete for its first premiership in 26 years next week.
The club’s new coach Michael Voss returns from a break and begins his quest for success returning to Ikon Park next Monday.
Voss was anointed the Blues’ new coach 38 days ago following a parting of the ways with former coach David Teague, and is now tasked with re-creating the club’s mantra of success from the halcyon days which goes back to its last premiership in 1995.
Carlton has undertaken upheaval in order to get the club right this year.
Now, there is a new CEO in Brian Cook, President Luke Sayers is now in the drivers seat, taking over from Mark Loguidice this season, and of course the appointment of Voss.
PREMIER PERROTTET SPOTTED WITH BILLIONAIRE BAR OWNER
Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes was spotted in conversation with New South Wales’ Premier Dominic Perrottet last Friday at the popular Mr Wong restaurant in Sydney’s CBD.
Onlookers told Sheahan Ink the powerful duo crossed paths during Hemmes’ regular walk around his venues.
It’s believed Hemmes’ advice is often sought by Sydney’s political powerbrokers about the state’s ability to successfully return hospitality to relative normality in the wake of Covid lockdowns.
Hemmes’ Merivale Group, which owns venues such as The Ivy and Coogee Pavilion; popular with Melburnians, are favourites to win the Sydney Cricket Ground catering contract, which we understand could have been one of the discussions on the menu.
AFL, NRL and cricket fans could be watching their favourite stars dining on the best food and drink in the country.
We reached out to Premier Perrottet and Justin Hemmes’ with both parties deciding best not to comment.
WEDDING GUEST VAX REQUEST
An AFL player’s wedding plans for early next year are in disarray with the interstate venue demanding all guests be double vaccinated.
The player in question and his wife-to-be have contacted family, friends and teammates insisting all have proof of Covid jabs or they will be denied entry to the nuptials.
Originally published as Sheahan Ink: Collingwood player’s big venture in the US to strike it rich
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