Toby Kenneally wants to repay the support Bournemouth Rugby Club have shown him in his new role as partnership co-ordinater.
The big kiwi has had a nightmare last few seasons in England after suffering two of the worst possible injuries in sport - a broken leg and a torn ACL.
Having been forced to give up his jobs as a contract climber and self-employed tree surgeon as a result, the New Zealander now wants to do everything to help the club grow.
"I had two of the worst possible injuries a rugby player could have - back to back - so it was pretty gutting really.
"Obviously watching everyone else play and not being able to get involved - but the club has been good enough to find me things to do and from that I have managed to find work with the club.
"I obviously could not do my normal day job which was climbing trees so now I'm working with the club, which is a silver lining, but it is tough.
"We have a number of different sponsors and we are gaining more and more every week so I help get what they need and sort what they want and sort out their profiles and generally that is how we get a lot of funds for the club.
"It is quite a rewarding role now."
Instead of getting down in the dumps, the big second row has seen his new role as a blessing in disguise and he says he is really enjoying it.
Calling on his playing experience, it is the perfect bridge between the playing squad and the behind-the-scenes team.
He added: "James - our CEO - stopped playing rugby about 15 years ago, and he asked me when I got injured to get involved.
"We got a really good reception from people from me showing up to meetings because I was a player and people tend to forget that people want to get involved in rugby and that they want to hear what it is like from a players' point of view.
"It is quite cool I get to be that link between the players on the pitch and the club itself at the top so it is really rewarding.
"If it was not for the club then I probably would have gone home - that is how serious it was.
"I was here mainly for the rugby - and without that, there was not really too much keeping me here."
