By David Gold
June 5 – Blackburn Rovers defender and New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen has joined forces with marketing expert Hamish Miller to begin Roar Sports Marketing, a mental toughness programme for elite sportsmen and women.
Together they have convinced Nike’s New Zealand chief executive Clark Todd to leave the sportswear manufacturer to join their venture.
Miller, formerly the marketing manager of New Zealand Football, initially launched the Roar Group a decade ago, which included a player agency.
As part of the scheme an online training tool for sports professionals to improve their mental skills, called Provelop, is being developed, and is set to launch next month.
Also included in their new project, they will also be brokering sports sponsorships and continuing Nelsen’s wine selling initiative.
The Blackburn centre-back, with the help of his sister, a vintner herself, rebranded New Zealand wines under his name for sale to fellow footballers.
Miller praised Nelsen’s appetite for business, and said: “Ryan has an incredible network – I don’t think he will quite understand that network until he sees it through different eyes.
“I think if we are stealthy and professional, we will get a lot of opportunities not too many in New Zealand would have.
“And our philosophy is very Kiwi – why not?
“Our business fundamental is to ask that question.”
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