Ian Fitzpatrick - Journey to the Olympics, Nights Out & Contract Issues

Today I chat with Ireland 7s international Ian Fitzpatrick.

Ian was with the Irish 7s from its relaunch in 2015 right up to the Olympics in 2021. We chat about that journey from playing the likes of Malta to playing Fiji with Semi Radradra and Josh Tuisova. He talks about the nights out the team would have after tournaments and also,

• How he felt getting released and not getting another contract.
• Irish 7s players walking away because of contract issues.
• How Ireland played differently to beat the big teams.
• What it’s like playing Fiji in sevens. 
• How the Irish 7s train.
• What the living conditions were like in the Olympic Village.
• The food that the athletes got in Tokyo and how surprised he was with it.
• Difficulties with negotiating contracts as a sevens player.
• Fears he has around the sustainability of Sevens around the world.
• Solutions that he believes could help sevens players earn a better living.
• Marketing sevens and the selling point of the game.
• Getting accustomed to life after rugby, and what he misses.
• Dealing with injuries and surgeries, and any regrets he has.
• Trying to find his identity outside of rugby.
• How he wants to help young players.

You can find Ian on instagram @_ianfitzpatrick

My instagram is The Off Field Rugby Coach @offfieldrugby, any feedback you have or thoughts for the pod, please DM me there, would love to hear them.

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