Since the birth of his first child, Isla, in November 2016, Fremantle defender Lee Spurr has a new outlook on his career and aspirations after football.
“It’s really changed my perspective on life and what it means to be able to play football and to be able to provide, not only for my family, but be a role model for my daughter,” Spurr said.
“Unfortunately, she won’t get to see me play but she’ll get to look back on it and hopefully, she can be really be proud of me, which is what you aim for.”
Spurr has nothing but praise for his wife Olivia, who manages parenting duties while he’s at the club or studying, making the most of the time he has with his young family – driving him.
“I get home and Liv’s doing a great job,” Spurr said.
“I’ll come home and I want to get involved and do some bath time.
“I avoid changing nappy’s though. I’m good at that.
“It’s enjoyable and I’m really learning along the way.”
Spurr graduates from university at the end of the year with a bachelor of commerce and a bachelor of law, with plans of preparing for life after football to help provide for his family.
“It’s been a long journey,” Spurr said.
“It’s motivated me more to get it done for life after footy because I’m responsible for something more than myself now.
“I was chatting to my father yesterday and he said, you’re not really an adult until you’re responsible for something other than yourself.
“It made me really sit back and go ‘wow I’m responsible for something’, to help give them the best start of life I can.”
He’s not keeping football out of the picture though, with hopes of coaching and mentoring young footballers in the future.
“These last two years in particular, have shown me how much I enjoy helping younger kids develop and get involved,” Spurr said.
“I didn’t realise I had a passion for that, but seeing some young players play well and knowing that I’ve had a part and influenced them in a positive way, made me feel proud.”
Spurr offers words of advice for his now 10-month-old daughter.
“I read a quote the other day and it said ‘you’re never wrong to do the right thing’ and that resinated with me,” Spurr said.
“Hopefully, Isla grows up and feels comfortable enough and confident enough to stand up and do the right thing.
“When you know it’s the right thing, you’ve got to stand up and do something about it, even when you feel like you’re going to get pressured, so hopefully she is able to do that.”
