There
is no doubting that Brisbane Roar is a benchmark of success and the
envy of clubs competing in the Hyundai A-League. Finishing atop the
ladder and claiming a second “Premier’s Plate” means the Roar have other
franchises desperate to channel the secret to their success. After all
it is human nature which leads us into studying the best and mirroring
their methods rather than making bold decisions to reinvent the coaching
wheel. And Steve Farrell is the best.
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| Credit: Brisbane Roar |
"At the Roar
there appears no extraordinary player development strategy or left of center
training methodology. It boils down to getting the players to perform at their
best at every session and recreating the competiveness of match conditions or
scenarios. Coach Mike Mulvey has made it publicly known on many occasions that
if you are outside this way of thinking “You’re not a true Brisbane Roar
player.”
For the
uninitiated a kit-man is the individual entrusted with the often-thankless yet
vital role of packing, washing, replacing and collecting a myriad of gear for a
senior football team. They are employed full-time and travel to every training
session and every A-League home and away fixtures. On any given day there can
be 20-25 bags of player apparel dependent on the weather and conditions to be
laid out, collected, packed and accounted for.
Whether true or
not, a kit-man is often likened to glorified parent of a spoilt child by
tending to the many unusual and superstitiously driven gear wants and needs.
The job can often test the patience of the most relaxed of individuals.
Long before the
players arrive to the ground in their comfortable air-conditioned coach to the
airport or stadium, the kit-man has been at the airport check-in desk or the
dressing room making certain a pair of socks, shin pads or jersey is ruffled or
misplaced.
Enter Steve
Farrell, the Brisbane Roar “Kit-man”. Many would say Steve is a lucky fellow to
secure a role that involves getting up close and personal with the Roar players
and officials. For him it is all about hard work, a strong belief in a team
ethos of perfection and dedication that ensured he was the best candidate.
Steve commenced
his long and rewarding road to the coveted kit-man role by volunteering with
the Roar soon after they clinched their second A-League title over the Perth
Glory in 2012. To an outsider, a job with a professional football club seems a
glamorous vocation, but at the coalface there is a huge reliance on all staff
to buy into an all-important mantra of success over failure.
Club officials
soon became aware of Steve’s important characteristics and tireless commitment
of putting the club ahead of individual pursuits. They rewarded his hard work
by offering a casual position to travel the State showcasing the A-League
“Premiers Plate” and “Grand Final Championship” trophies.
“I found the
experience of engaging with fans and travelling the length and breadth of the
State with the trophies extremely rewarding. Watching the joy on kids faces and
families making a personal connection with the trophies is something I loved
and hope the club can replicate again this season. Fan engagement is something
the club, team and coaching staff have worked very hard on all season. Building
a strong club culture and involving fans at every opportunity is important for
the continued growth of the sport in this city and the State.”
As the trip came
to a disappointing end, the focus turned to completing studies in a Bachelor of
Sports Management at Bond University. Steve was positive but somewhat realistic
of what his possible future role at the club would be.
“I simply aimed
to do the best job possible with attention to detail. I was totally gob-smacked
when the club offered me the all important role of kit-man.”
“It was a huge
thrill and I immediately begun on working on how I could make the position as
professional as the players, officials and the club I was representing.”
Steve wanted to
bring the same level of professionalism to the position and make it his own. He
set about developing systems and processes ensuring every that “i” is dotted
and “t” was crossed. The focus of this kit-man was to ensure the playing group
was focused on just one thing “winning”.
“I felt I needed
to tap into current technology and streamline the role.”
An iPad-Mini idea using a simple colour-coded
checklist allows Steve to know at any moment in a lead up to an important match
where he is placed and what still needs to be done. “
“The swipe of a
tablet’s touch screen is my own unique carbon friendly way that replaces the
endless need for carting around lists of paper!”
“It never leaves
my side and is my life blood and security blanket”
Preparation and organisation
are two words that stand-alone when Steve talks about what makes a valuable
kit-man. The more time and effort spent preparing for training sessions and
home and away match days converts to a more relaxed individual on game day. I
am always at the ground two hours before the players to ensure the match day
gear and dressing room is set-up and spotless before they arrive. Players
generally get to the game an hour and a half before kick-off and other than any
last minute special requests. Steve then leaves the team to their own devices
in the sanctity of the rooms to prepare individually and as a group.
“I know it’s
strange to say, but a feeling in a dressing room before a game is one of those
immeasurable but important indicators in gauging how relaxed or ready a team is
for victory.”
“I can’t put my
finger on it but I have sensed a different air of expectation within the group
this year.” “A more determined focus and
self-belief in the goals they want to achieve together has been evident since
pre-season started.“
“The lift in
intensity and competitiveness at training sessions all season has taught me
plenty, and to play my own small part in assisting the process is the most
satisfying part of my role.”
Steve is quick
to point out that as important as the strict training and match day regime of
football is, the time off the pitch goes along way to how a team is travelling.
“You see a different human side to the personality of the players when they
come back across that white line and they’re all great individuals away from
the game.” “Despite their professional football status, players are enormously
respectful of the title and are humble servants to the game that provides them
a comfortable living for them and their families.”
For now Steve’s
sole focus is doing what is needed behind the scenes to help the Roar team
secure their third championship title. When you are watching the Brisbane Roar
team go around in the Grand Final on Sunday, just spare a thought that it isn’t
only the talented playing squad and coaching staff striving to get the job
done. There are countless men and woman like Steve behind the scenes working or
volunteering tirelessly long before and after the fans have arrived and filed
out of the Stadium that go into making a football club tick.
The Football Sack - "Grabbing the A-League by the Balls"
