Mike Pyke is an investment banker for Moelis & Company but he is best known as a member of the AFL’s Sydney Swans. 

 

Born in British Columbia, Canada, Mike played over 100 games for Swans after a successful career as a professional rugby player, where he earned 20 test caps for Canada which included playing in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Mike achieved fame during that tournament for running the length of the field and scoring a try against the New Zealand All Blacks following an intercepted pass.

 

After sustaining an injury while playing for his French club, Mike was convinced by a friend to try his luck with a career change in another football code in Australia. So he sent a highlights reel from his rugby career to an AFL player agent and the Sydney Swans offered him a contract.

 

Against the odds, Mike became the first Canadian to play in the AFL and in 2012 he was a member of the Swan’s premiership winning side. He credits this achievement to hard work and the supportive environment at the Swans.

During his AFL career Mike found time to complete a Master of Commerce at University of Sydney, majoring in Finance and Economics and he subsequently received the AFL Player’s Association Education and Training Excellence award.