Part 2
Inside the team meeting room on Level 11 of The Biltmore Hotel in Downtown LA, what is clear is that Fitzgibbon has not only fostered a connected team, but dedicated coaching staff.
His elite assistants in Steve Price, Josh Hannay and Holdsworth stand at the front of the room, viewed by the players as equally important co-drivers of a club that is on a mission to blend an attitude of selflessness with ferocious training standards.
The coaching trio’s efforts – along with Nicho Hynes – to
save a man about to jump from a bridge near Wollongong last yearis an example of the culture being met at the Sharks.
In LA, the players stop what they are doing to greet anyone they meet by shaking their hand, they can be found eating lunch together, playing cards or handball with banter behind every shot.
Rifts, division or cracks within a group are easy to find in a sporting team, a destabilising ingredient that can be easily identified, particularly by an outsider.
To increase the connection and trust within their team environment, anyone that arrives into the Sharks inner-sanctum is asked without warning to speak openly about their upbringing, family and current life journey.
As a result of being allowed into areas otherwise off limits, your columnist was asked to step forward during the Sharks preparation for Las Vegas, just as Fonua-Blake found himself doing late last year.
“I’m still a new kid in the team, but man I’ve gelled well with the boys,’’ Fonua-Blake said.
“That’s a credit to Fitzy and his staff in what they’ve created here. They train extremely hard, Fitzy has set a high standard.
“It takes time to settle fully into any group, but I haven’t felt that.
“These guys here have welcomed me with open arms, there’s no
clicks here in the team, it’s just one big team.
“That goes along way to being a successful team.’’
As Fonua-Blake alluded, the Sharks training standards are held to account.
For example, anyone that arrives late for their physiotherapy appointment, recovery session or team meeting is sent home for the day.
See you later.
Like the intense nature and defensive focus that Fitzgibbon played the game as a champion backrower for the Roosters, so is the level of demand from the coach.
Fitzgibbon has a switch he can flick which is tangible. He can share a joke with his players one minute and yet just moments before boarding the bus for training at the University of Southern California, Fitzgibbon has the eyes of the entire room with his intensity and focus.
He offers depth to his straight-to-the-point message.
He offers key data up on a projection screen to better break down his reasoning and creates an atmosphere where his players are free to express their thoughts, as Hynes does before backrower Teig Wilton speaks up.
Sharks fans have at-times called for their coach to be more animated in press conferences, particularly after a loss.
Yet behind closed-doors, there is a stern nature to Fitzgibbon, which his players understand with just one simple look.
“To be honest, he’s a father figure to me,’’ Mulitalo said.
“He’s been immense for me as a man and as a player as well. He betters me every day.
“He’s a different style of coach. He doesn’t yell and scream at me. We talk and he’s like a disappointed father, when Dad gives you that look, I know I have to get it right.
“What he’s built alongside the board and management as far a stable club that wants success so bad, that’s why I re-signed here.’’
As the players conclude their final training session with a captain’s run at Allegiant Stadium before playing the Panthers, the entire team and staff of the Sharks huddle together.
The final message isn’t audible.
In this city of high stakes and gambling, there’s nothing more certain that the last word from Cronulla ended with a question.
What are you going to do for the team before yourself?
In LA, the players stop what they are doing to greet anyone they meet by shaking their hand, they can be found eating lunch together, playing cards or handball with banter behind every shot.
Rifts, division or cracks within a group are easy to find in a sporting team, a destabilising ingredient that can be easily identified, particularly by an outsider.
To increase the connection and trust within their team environment, anyone that arrives into the Sharks inner-sanctum is asked without warning to speak openly about their upbringing, family and current life journey.
As a result of being allowed into areas otherwise off limits, your columnist was asked to step forward during the Sharks preparation for Las Vegas, just as Fonua-Blake found himself doing late last year.
“I’m still a new kid in the team, but man I’ve gelled well with the boys,’’ Fonua-Blake said.
“That’s a credit to Fitzy and his staff in what they’ve created here. They train extremely hard, Fitzy has set a high standard.
“It takes time to settle fully into any group, but I haven’t felt that.
“These guys here have welcomed me with open arms, there’s no clicks here in the team, it’s just one big team.
“That goes along way to being a successful team.’’
As Fonua-Blake alluded, the Sharks training standards are held to account.
For example, anyone that arrives late for their physiotherapy appointment, recovery session or team meeting is sent home for the day.
See you later.
Like the intense nature and defensive focus that Fitzgibbon played the game as a champion backrower for the Roosters, so is the level of demand from the coach.
Fitzgibbon has a switch he can flick which is tangible. He can share a joke with his players one minute and yet just moments before boarding the bus for training at the University of Southern California, Fitzgibbon has the eyes of the entire room with his intensity and focus.
He offers depth to his straight-to-the-point message.
He offers key data up on a projection screen to better break down his reasoning and creates an atmosphere where his players are free to express their thoughts, as Hynes does before backrower Teig Wilton speaks up.
Sharks fans have at-times called for their coach to be more animated in press conferences, particularly after a loss.
Yet behind closed-doors, there is a stern nature to Fitzgibbon, which his players understand with just one simple look.
“To be honest, he’s a father figure to me,’’ Mulitalo said.
“He’s been immense for me as a man and as a player as well. He betters me every day.
“He’s a different style of coach. He doesn’t yell and scream at me. We talk and he’s like a disappointed father, when Dad gives you that look, I know I have to get it right.
“What he’s built alongside the board and management as far a stable club that wants success so bad, that’s why I re-signed here.’’
As the players conclude their final training session with a captain’s run at Allegiant Stadium before playing the Panthers, the entire team and staff of the Sharks huddle together.
The final message isn’t audible.
In this city of high stakes and gambling, there’s nothing more certain that the last word from Cronulla ended with a question.
What are you going to do for the team before yourself?
Man behind the coach: Inside Fitzgibbon’s influence on Sharks
