EX-TITAN WILL GIVE NEW SPORT HIS BEST SHOT
GROUND down by his injuries in rugby league, former Titans forward David Hala is taking a shot at a new sport.
Hala, 27, is taking tentative steps in shot put with coach Des Davis after being identified by the Queensland Academy of Sport as a likely prospect in the field event.
Hala said it’s another post-football involvement, on top of his air conditioner and refrigeration mechanic apprenticeship, which has helped him move from the career in which he played 39 NRL games.
“I’m loving getting in the grind of the real world, as my wife Robyn says,’’ Hala said.
“I mentally was sick and tired of getting injured. I was happy and proud with what I did with rugby league and how it ended – I played for two great clubs. I had to think about the future.
“To get the opportunity to learn a new sport and hopefully take it to another level would be great.”
QAS conditioner Andrew Croll and video analyst Josh Carius, both formerly at the Broncos, put Hala in touch with QAS talent identification staff. At a league playing weight of 113kg, the former Australian Schoolboys forward has the force to sent the shot a long way, but technique will be hard won.
“My coach Des was pretty impressed and they jagged me a six-month scholarship program,’’ Hala said. “To get to a nationals and compete around Australia, or higher than that, I definitely think mentally and physically I can get there.”