NRL 2022: Alex McKinnon reveals why he’s leaving Knights

Alex McKinnon has confirmed he will finish up at Newcastle next week — but hasn’t closed the door on working in rugby league.

Alex McKinnon has revealed he wants to mentor emerging athletes and key corporate decision makers after resigning from his recruitment role at the Newcastle Knights.

McKinnon has confirmed he will finish next week after spending eight years in the head of recruitment role and as co-ordinator of the Knights elite pathways program.

The 29-year-old will commence a degree in psychology at Newcastle University this year, which he believes will aid his burning desire to become a mindset coach for influential decision makers across all sporting codes as well as business men and women.

McKinnon has already previously completed six months of the degree.

He said he wasn’t closing the door on working in rugby league, but spoke of his passion to broaden his experience across multiple sports and the corporate sector, while also continuing to provide expert insight as a commentator with Fox Sports.

“I really want to gain experience at other businesses or organisations by working with individuals who want to strengthen their mindset and to support that I’m going to be furthering my education in this space at Uni,’’ McKinnon said.

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Alex McKinnon is leaving the Newcastle Knights. Picture: NRL Photos

“I’m forever grateful to the opportunities that I’ve managed to achieve at the Knights.

“I’ve worked with a vast array of leaders in their own right including coaches Rick Stone, Nathan Brown, Adam O’Brien, and administrators like John Quayle, Brian Canavan, Darren Mooney, Philip Gardiner and Matt Gidley.

“I’ve evolved as a person from every experience at the Knights, but I’m really looking forward to broadening that scope of working with other teams or organisations.’’

Alex McKinnon is leaving the Newcastle Knights. Picture: NRL Photos

The 29-year-old leaves the Knights with its strongest roster in over a decade.

McKinnon is heavily responsible for the club’s recruitment of captain Jayden Brailey, representative stars Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai and young guns Bradman Best, Dom Young, Brodie Jones and Starford Toa.

It’s been eight years since McKinnon suffered a devastating spinal injury while playing with the Knights and the father of three daughters, including Harriett and twin daughters Violet and Audrey, says while life is busy for he and wife Teigan, his desire to evolve as a person is what drives him.