THE WINNING WAY
WINTER is upon us and the footy season is well under way. Always in the early stages there is an expectancy in the minds of coaches, players and supporters.
Hopes are high, the coach is super keen. Or at least he should be, for the drive and energy must emanate from the team’s mentor. Talking to various clubs at different levels pre-season I tried to highlight certain areas vital to a club or team’s success.
Training should be interesting – even at times innovative – although there are fundamental drills in all sports that must not be ignored. No matter how our Australian game has evolved through time there remains one basic truth: in the words of legendary Geelong coach Reg Hickey it is that … “First get the ball, then direct it to a teammate in a better position”.
All team games in truth are fairly basic and I am convinced that for individual or team success the keynote is discipline. Rewards do not come without this trait, a virtue sadly somewhat maligned in many areas of modem life by the trendies and the “ideas” people.
Properly imposed discipline leads to self-discipline and the latter may be closely tied in with unselfishness, teamwork and loyalty – those oh so vital ingredients for a truly worthwhile life.
Some people play sport for monetary gain, but the great majority play for love of contest and for reasons such as personal pride, enjoyment, physical fitness and the satisfaction that comes from being part of a united and successful team.
There are many we owe to in this life – for example family, friends, those who support us in good times and bad – and thus a talented footballer has a God-given opportunity to provide pleasure and “pay back” to all who are part of his life.
Of all the games played with a ball on this planet our own native game is surely one of the most emotional. It can bring out the best and worst in people – mostly, though, it is the former.
Any football team requires certain things: a cohesive committee: a respected coach, a captain who leads from the front and committed players who know what it is to “give” rather than merely being on the “take”.
A coach is really at the mercy of his players who can “make” or “break” him. And in many respects a coach’s task is a lonely one.
I think some of the great coaches – Vince Lombardi, Helmut Schoen (West German soccer coach), Knute Rockne; our own game’s Allan Jeans, John Kennedy, Ron Barassi, David Parkin, Kevin Sheedy, Mark Thompson, Leigh Matthews and their like – all were able to lift their charges to emotional heights when the battle required a fierce surge of spirit.
Think of Frank Worrell’s epic one-handed century against Lindwall and Miller at the MCG 60 years ago; think of explorer Mawson’s incredible courage and endurance; think of the episode known as Rorke’s Drift from the Zulu Wars; nothing is more inspirational than these amazing feats of bravery and resistance.
The coach must appeal to his players to be honest, not to hide behind excuses, to contribute at all times and to learn to respect teammates, opponents and umpires.
A responsible mentor will set attainable goals:
Play to your peak
Be consistent
Be supportive
Play through the pain barrier within reason
Win the next game
Reach the finals
As for the game itself we never cease to learn. Over many years some truly outstanding players have played in Assumption’s football teams.
From the past generation perhaps Bernie McCarthy, John Bahen, Francis Bourke, Peter Crimmins, Kevin Heath, Peter Keenan, Laurie Serafini, Peter McCormack, Neale Daniher, Simon O’Donnell, Philip Egan, Bill Brownless, Tim Powell, Barry Young, Matthew Dundas, David King, Ben Dixon, Shane Crawford, Jason Johnson, Richard Douglas, Michael Barlow, Dan Talia, Mitchell Lewis and Dion Prestia.
There were many others – it is just that the aforementioned have been most prominent to the wider public. Even as lads they taught me a lot; they were single-minded in their desire to attain a most high level. Almost without exception their powers of concentration, their mental preparation for games (particularly important ones), their attitude to training and their refusal to surrender the initiative were common traits.
Fellows such as Bourke, Crimmins, Daniher, O’Donnell and Crawford were among those who knew at an early age that effort, perseverance, dedication and courage were necessary ingredients to ensure success.
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Winning a title is the ultimate goal. Pictured in today’s edition is 1990 Assumption captain Jason Smith with the All-Australian trophy when ACK defeated the West Australian champions before a packed crowd at Geelong’s Kardinia Park.
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VARIA
Talented young West Australian Cooper Connolly is hitting big scores including a century in the Indian Premier League. He plays with Punjab Kings coached by Ricky Ponting. He should be in the test side next summer, but selector George Bailey and his panel don’t seem to want to punt on youth.
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My nephew Jay Martin and his wife have just revisited Vanuatu. They love the easy lifestyle and the people there. Jay has been a few times to coach firefighters. On the recent trip they enjoyed watching the ceremonial dance.
