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As a world-class rugby player at the top of his game, Nathan Sharpe would be welcome in any rugby-playing country in the world.
But a love of Perth’s beaches, fishing and friendly community will see the Western Force captain and his family settle in WA permanently at the end of his playing career.
Kicking a ball barefoot with his son Cooper this week, Sharpe’s imposing 200cm frame and shaved head barely attracted a second glance from other visitors to City Beach.
The relaxed setting is a far cry from the hectic travel schedule that sees the Wallaby veteran spend almost six months away from home.
“Coming from Brisbane, I just love being near the water, on it or under it, and particularly with our family, we love doing this outdoors so WA is really good for us,” Sharpe said. “Once you get used to it, it is pretty nice that people here slow down and you don’t have to be flat-chat 24/7.”
Sharpe and his wife Jessica married shortly before he signed with the Force and moved to Perth after their honeymoon. They initially planned to move on after his first three-year contract expired but fell in love with life on the west coast. Their desire to put down roots was cemented by the birth of their sons, Cooper, now two, and Franklin, nine months.
When Sharpe’s contract came up for renewal, they decided the lure of family holidays on Rottnest, fishing trips and life near the beach was too good to resist.
The 31-year-old announced last year he would stay with the Force until the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand but his current contract would be the last of his career.
He said the itinerant life of a player in the most travelled team in the Super 14s had been hard on his young family. Though he did not have any firm plans for life after hanging up the boots, he hoped to continue his involvement with the Force.
TIFFANY FOX
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ntentID=144950