Hayward retires, will be an electrician in Perth: “I’ll spend more time with Noah, but I’ll come back to you: I’ll cheer for Treviso”
/ TREVISO
The luggage is now almost ready: departure on 2 July from Milan, then stop in Singapore and land in Perth, Australia, after almost 20 hours by plane. Jayden Hayward had made the choice to go home with sweet Ana in March and made it known in April, along with the reason: to bring back Noah, her son with autism and an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in its environment. Which cannot be defined as natural, having been born in Treviso 5 years ago, but reuniting the family in the places of origin. He had also organized a fundraiser for Our Family in the name of Noah Jay.
Hayward, a difficult decision for her, born in 1987, 126 appearances in the Benetton jersey, three years in blue, one of the pillars of the Lions since 2014.
“No, it wasn’t. I just tried to do the best for my son and my family: let’s say it was difficult but also easy. In Australia I will be able to be beside him every day, put him to bed at the same time, I will be there for him. The weather is much nicer all year round and he loves nature and being outdoors ».
And what kind of business will you be doing in Australia?
“In the meantime, I’ll rest, then I’ll resume the work I did before starting to play, the electrician, I have a diploma. Clearly now the situation will be different there, the laws have changed but the goal is to find work in that sector. I think I will abandon rugby, I want to devote myself to my family, I will spend a lot of time with Ana and Noah. Maybe on weekends I will dedicate myself to other things. One thing is certain, I will continue to follow the events of Benetton, a team that I will always keep in my heart. Indeed, maybe in a few years I’ll be back in Treviso, I promise you ».
In seven years in Treviso, imagine how many memories.
“Many. Obviously the last one, the victory of the Rainbow Cup and the plaque that the mayor gave me, but also the victory of Italy against Fiji in Catania, the 100th with Benetton against the Zebras, when I entered the field together with Noah, the quarter-final of the playoffs against Munster and the Challenge in Montpellier. And above all, I’m happy to leave, leaving the team and the club better than when I arrived ».
What was it like living here?
“It’s a beautiful city, with great food, full of good quality and not even expensive restaurants. And then his people, as passionate as the fans, whom I gladly saw again in the final with the Bulls. I have already told Ana that I will miss this lifestyle. However, I noticed that here people are more concentrated on work, not like in Australia where people enjoy life more, perhaps on the beach ».
What kind of experience was rugby at the time of Covid?
“Very difficult, and I’m also talking about my family: we like going out, being outdoors, especially Noah. We love nature and unfortunately we couldn’t do it in those months. The only advantage is that we were always together, even if closed at home ».
Which Benetton will be in Marco Bortolami’s hands?
«Crowley has achieved several goals in 5 years, the last one was Rainbow, he was named coach of the year and has accumulated a lot of experience. It is important that he moved from Benetton to the national team. He was the coach of the backs, Bortolami of the forwards and therefore I don’t know him so well. What is certain is that the Benetton scrum has certainly made excellent performances, we need to be confident ». –