John Wilson is 29 years old and, according to him, “an inherent Benoni-boy” for 29 years.
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How a child on the playground schooled me on his first day
Wilson is an athlete manager and combined his passion for soccer with his passion for law.
He is known to have clients in the likes of Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt, Moeneeb Josephs (the goalkeeper who plays for Bidvest Wits in the Premier Soccer League) and Kaizer Chiefs player Joseph Molangoane, just to name a few.
BCT: Where did you grow up?
JW: I lived in Goedeburg until the age of nine or 10, I then moved to Lakefield and, when I was 20, moved to Northmead.
I attended Arbor Primary School and I matriculated at Benoni High School in 2006.
BCT: Tell us a bit about your family.
JW: My mother, Heather Wilson, was a mathematics teacher at Benoni High School, but now she teaches at Ashton College.
My younger brother, Warren Wilson, just finished his master’s degree in architecture and works at a firm in Parkhurst.
BCT: Tell us about how you started your career.
JW: I studied LLB (law) at the University of Pretoria after the university offered me a bursary to play soccer.
I graduated from university in 2011.
I then did my articles under Gael Barrable Attorney.
I have to give her credit, she gave me carte blanche to pursue my passion.
BCT: How did you discover your passion for your profession?
JW: I played soccer for a club in Benoni, the club was bought and relocated to Durban.
I went along, but I didn’t get paid for quite a few months.
I then got someone to represent me at a Premier Soccer League arbitration and that is how I discovered the profession.
BCT: What do you do exactly?
JW: I advise professional athletes and coaches about their rights and their contracts.
I also give financial advice and educate my clients about investments.
I focus mostly on soccer.
Players usually have a rather short career. This is why it is important for athletes to know how to work with their money.
BCT: What would you say makes your profession important?
JW: Soccer is a cut-throat industry, it is easy to take advantage of young and naïve players.
I educate my clients on their rights and I add value to these athletes.
BCT: Do you have any advice for young people who would like to become an athlete manager?
JW: People thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to do this, but I always say, if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life.
Follow your passion and don’t listen to other people.
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