Dan Jackson’s epic journey from AFL retirement to AdelaideBy James Hetherington
5 May 2020When former Tiger Dan Jackson retired from AFL at the end of 2014, his first goal was to “catch up on his youth”.
“I backpacked around Central and South America for eight months, trying to be free,” Jackson told AFC Media.
But for the Crows’ new Leadership Development Manager, it didn’t quite scratch the itch.
After living out of his backpack for more than half a year, Jackson settled in Canada and worked in the corporate world as a consultant.
“When I moved to Canada, I taught myself to skate,” Jackson said.
“I joined an adult hockey school, which is like Auskick for adults… I finally joined a team and was the worst one out there.
“My very first game I was put in the sin bin for charging, but it just reminded me of everything in footy, but on skates.”
Eventually, he moved across the pond to the United Kingdom.
“I did a masters in performance psychology and then started working with youth sport in the Premier League academies system,” he said.
“It involved talking about resilience and managing stress, developing high performance.”
In five years, Jackson had managed to traverse the globe and accrue a unique resume that “came into fruition to get the Crows job” and “bring him home”.
https://www.afc.com.au/news/688934/dan-jackson-s-epic-journey-from-afl-retirement-to-the-adelaide-crows
