Raiders star Kurt Baptiste determined to prepare for life after his NRL career

EIGHT years and counting. That’s how long Kurt Baptiste has been doing his engineering degree. He is determined to prepare for life after his NRL career and getting an education is crucial.

EIGHT years and counting. That’s how long Kurt Baptiste has been doing his engineering degree. And as the Canberra Raiders star admits, he probably has a few years left before he graduates too.

The 26-year-old began studying at Queensland University of Technology back in 2009 when he was playing in the under-20s with the Broncos.

He realised rugby league careers could be short-lived and wanted a back-up.

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Eight years and another club later, Baptiste is still chipping away at his study but with three-quarters done he’s happy to have options for his future.

“I think it’s good to just have something there to fall back on,” Baptiste said.

“Injuries and that sort of thing can happen and if you haven’t been doing anything then you can find yourself coming out of footy and you don’t know what to do or have anything behind you which can be sort of daunting I think for some players.

“I think it’s good that I’m gradually getting through it while I’m playing footy, which is the aim.”

Kurt Baptiste is working towards graduating while he is still playing footy

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