In his decorated AFL career that spanned 12 years, Nick Stevens certainly experienced the highs and lows of footy. A product of the very league that he is now coaching in, Nick was part of the talent ridden 1997 draft that saw him begin his AFL career at Port Adelaide. Stevens knows what it’s like to hear your name called out on draft day, something his charges hope to emulate. At the end of the 2003 season Stevens returned to Victoria to play for the Carlton Football Club where he became vice captain and a crucial member of the Blues midfield.
It’s expected when playing a full contact sport that injuries can be sustained along the way, broken bones can occur here and there in the high impact collisions. It was whilst playing for Carlton that Stevens sustained an injury the likes of which had not really been seen in the AFL. A broken neck sidelined Stevens, leaving him in a hospital bed in a halo for an extended period. It was unknown if Stevens would ever play football again, but whilst he lay there physically broken, his desire to get back out on to the field and play for his beloved Blues again remained intact.
At the time the severity of the injury was kept under wraps as Stevens went through a long and painful rehabilitation not just to be able to cope with the rigors of AFL football, but to ensure that he was able to function normally in everyday life. It was during the arduous rehab that Stevens developed a mental toughness and a positive ‘you can do it’ attitude that is now almost infectious to all those that come into contact with him. Through sheer will and determination Stevens made it back to the game he loved, eventually retiring in 2009 after 231 games. Since his retirement Stevens focus has been on sharing his football knowledge through coaching, working with the NSW/ACT Rams under 18 program before stepping into the role at Power.
In the short time Nick Stevens has been at Gippsland Power he has been impressed not just with the talent and commitment of the players that are involved in the program, but the professionalism of the Club and its operations. This was clearly evident at the recent pre season elite high altitude training camp that was conducted at Mt Hotham, the likes of which had never been seen at TAC Cup level before. 22 senior players and 6 support staff spent a physically and mentally challenging 6 days on the mountain, pushing themselves to the limit whilst developing strong bonds and relationships.
The easy going Stevens built a rapport with his senior playing group on this training camp with the practical jokes and fun between coach and players a sign of his acceptance into the group . After a long day of training and a trek up a very steep mountain, Stevens told his squad that they were to then run the 5km back to camp. To their credit none of the players complained, they set about the run even though the thought of running up more hills was exhausting. There was sighs of relief and laughs all round when 500m up the road Stevens said “just kidding boys, get in the bus”. The players began plotting on how they could get their coach back. It continued all camp.
The players clearly respect Stevens football background, their eyes lighting up as he recalled stories on what he would do matching up on the likes of Brownlow medallists Simon Black and James Hird in the midfield, the questions came thick and fast as to just what it’s like to be an AFL footballer. Stevens openness and willingness to share his experience so honestly, has endeared him to his players already.
Outlining his expectations of his players and the brand of football that he wants Gippsland Power to play in 2012, Stevens has used the same motto as the league’s long term sponsor the Transport Accident Commission “Speed Kills”, with a desire to play a hard running game. He told his players that by round 1 they will be the fittest that they have ever been. The high altitude training camp has ensured that the playing group is well on the way to achieving this with some players already recording their lowest ever skin fold results and pushing through fitness sessions at an intensity that they have been unable to sustain in the past.
After facing the possibility of not being able to walk let alone run again, Stevens doesn’t take anything physical for granted and enjoys every minute of a training session, the tougher the better. At the camp he was regularly jumping in alongside his players and pushing them to be their best. This enthusiasm and joy for training has rubbed off onto the players, with smiles all round and the players enjoyment making them oblivious to just how hard they are actually working. For Stevens, it’s a privilege to be able to come to work every day and enjoy what he does so much, seeing the improvement and development of his players already is the ultimate reward.
On his comeback from injury Stevens was limited to boxing training to rebuild his upper body strength and fitness levels. Hours spent in the ring has led to him developing an appreciation of the demands of the sport and made him fairly handy with the gloves on. He challenged his players with gruelling boxing fitness sessions at the camp, working the boys to the same intensity of an AFL training session. The boys were up to the challenge and revelled in the chance to spar with their team mates and to ‘have a go’ against the coach. Many of the boys had never sparred before and had limited boxing experience, by the end of the camp they were shaping up with the right technique and itching for more sparring opportunities.
Stevens instructed his players that when they are on the field it’s expected that “if it’s your turn to go, you go!” and that you work for your team mates. A one in all in mentality was forged at the high altitude camp. Whether it was the group working to ensure that everyone made it up the mountain after a 22km trek, or relaxing with a game of park cricket, it was all done together. Through the camp Stevens has successfully instilled a higher level of confidence into his players and a trust in their own team mates. The challenge is for him to ensure this translates to a tough, hard working football unit on the field. Somehow you get the impression that this is a challenge that Stevens is well and truly up to. The steely determination to get the best out of himself and those around him will ensure that the young men of Gippsland Power Football Club are all in for a big year, on and off the field.
Last Modified on 01/06/2012 14:26