Former Test bowler Doug Bollinger has traded the SCG for lawns across The Hills through his new lawn service franchise
From the hallowed turf of the SCG to lawns and backyards across The Hills, former Test bowler Doug Bollinger takes his grass seriously
Rouse Hill
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Doug Bollinger’s cricketing career may be over but his days in the sun are just beginning.
After retiring from all forms of the game in February this year, the former NSW and Australian Test bowler has jumped back into work by opening a franchise with Coochie HydroGreen Lawn Services.
The Ponds local says switching his office from the SCG to lawns and front yards throughout Castle Hill and Glenhaven has been “a good learning curve.”
“It’s kind of like coming into the real world. When you’re playing cricket and you have a bad day, you could hide in the hotel, come out the next day and take a few wickets and it’s all good.
“(The change) is a big thing and I struggled with it early on but it’s a good industry and you can work around what you need to do. I’ve got a young family so I get to drop them off and pick them up after school.
“It’s definitely been a good change though. It’s good to kind of be working in something completely different.”
Having started his professional cricketing career at just 21, Bollinger admits that the idea of life after cricket wasn’t something that really crossed his mind until his playing days were over.
“When you’re playing sport professionally, it’s your job. It’s your whole life,” he said.
“You never expect it to end. Thinking about what you’re going to do once your playing days are over is hard at the time. You’re totally embroiled in it.
“But now I’ve done a real estate certificate, I’ve got my cricket coaching certificate. It’s good to have a couple of things in your back pocket. Having a plan certainly doesn’t hurt.”