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Friday 22 January 2021 2:11pm

Harrison Boyle image
Harrison has spent the last three years training at Otago Rugby Academy.

Law student Harrison Boyle is proving that you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to choosing a lifelong career that supports following your dreams.

Harrison is about to embark on a new adventure in Boston representing Major League Rugby team, Free Jacks, and taking a short break from his law studies at the University of Otago.

Born in Boston and raised in Wellington, Harrison says that Otago had always been on the cards as a probability for the future, following in the footsteps of both of his parents and his sisters.

“I had always found law fascinating and thought that if I was going to set myself up for a career outside of Rugby, it might be a good option for me. I’m three years in with ten papers left to go and really enjoying it. Studying law not only allows me to pursue my professional rugby goals but also set up for a solid future after rugby.”

“I’ve found Otago accommodating for both my love of sport and law. Here you’re surrounded by other young people who know how to work hard. It really is achievable to get a good balance of work and play and there are always people willing to help you out.”

Alongside his studies, Harrison has spent the past three years training at the Otago Rugby Academy, a programme dedicated to upskilling promising athletes and preparing them for the industry.

“It’s all worked out quite well. The way that tertiary study here works allows me time to pursue my sport and the flexible lifestyle suits my training schedule.”

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, Harrison’s plans to travel are still on track, with arrangements in place to keep the players safe.

“There’s a lot of protocol in the states for travel and it is a different landscape over there right now, but the league is frequently testing players. We will be initially quarantined and then travelling within our bubble so I’m not too worried.”

“Rugby is pretty new in The States, influenced by a few of our own kiwi rugby players, so it’s exciting that I get to be part of this. To return to the place I was born and play the game I love whilst continuing my development is an opportunity that I could not pass up.”

Harrison is a believer that you can be passionate about more than just one subject and that this can be quite the advantage when planning out your career goals and aspirations.

“I’ve found Otago accommodating for both my love of sport and law. Here you’re surrounded by other young people who know how to work hard. It really is achievable to get a good balance of work and play and there are always people willing to help you out.”

Harrison plans to return to university later in 2021 to finish his studies.

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