Heath L’Estrange leaves behind his foots boots to open Crocs Playcentre

FORMER NRL player Heath L’Estrange has left behind his footy boots to become the muffin man as he works alongside his family to open a play centre and cafe.

Heath and Jessica L’Estrange with their daughter Grace, 3, and their business partners Tonia and Kevin Neill with Amy, 16, and Alicia, 14. Pictures: David Swift

FORMER NRL player Heath L’Estrange has left behind his footy boots to become the muffin man as he works alongside his family to open a play centre and cafe.

Croc’s Playcentre in Prospect, run by the former footballer, his wife, Jessica, and aunt and uncle, Kevin and Tonia Neill, opened its doors over the weekend.

The 32-year-old, who won a premiership with Manly in 2008, spent five seasons with the Roosters and four years in the English Super League, announced his retirement in 2015.

Heath L’Estrange announced his retirement in 2015.

The former NRL star has learnt how to bake muffins and make coffee.

He now counts his blessings for being able to transition careers, despite not having considered life outside of being a professional athlete.

“My rugby league career is over, I know that. I never prepared myself for life after footy and that was a big mistake on my part,” L’Estrange said.

“I was one of those people that thought the road of being a professional player would never end until it ended.

“I’ve never been very good at studying and I’ve never had the time to get a trade ... that’s all my fault, but I’m just so happy now that I was able to find something that I really enjoy.”

L’Estrange believed athletes should be encouraged to work alongside their sporting career in preparation for retirement.

Pictured is (left) Heath and Jessica L’Estrange with Kevin and Tonia Neill at the play centre in Prospect.

“I think it comes to the point when they should be forced to work while they’re playing ... if my club had given me the time to do something on the side, I would have definitely done it,” he said.

“Rugby league these days is a full-time job, seven days a week. Players get to the end of their careers and are at a loss. Not everyone has a family backing like I do, which I’m really thankful for.

“Clubs should look after their players, not only their juniors, but blokes that are on their way to retirement.”

L’Estrange said his relatives proposed the idea of opening the play centre and cafe around the time he was retiring, offering an alternative route.

The play centre features a number of party rooms including a disco room, pamper room (pictured) and pirate room.

Over the past 18 months, L’Estrange has spent weeks undertaking training in Melbourne and Sydney, as he prepares to make coffees and bake muffins at the Muffin Break cafe, which opens in conjunction with the play centre.

“I never knew that I’d be good at baking and making coffees,” L’Estrange said.

“I’ve always been good with people and kids, but that’s a new field.”

The play centre offers a number of rooms for children to have parties, including a disco room, pamper room and baking room.

Find out more about Crocs Playcentre here.