Chris Connolly; Fremantle Football Club; Five years as coach
Chris Connolly; Fremantle Football Club; Five years as coach
WABN: What is the best piece of advice you can give someone who wants to motivate a team?
CC: Individual goal-setting and having a clear plan.
WABN: What has been the biggest mistake that you have made in your role as a coach and what did you learn from it?
CC: Our travelling schedule in 2002 was not appropriate, and we corrected it in 2003. It has remained in place since then. The change to the travelling schedule saw the team fly out for away games two days before the match, as opposed to one day in 2002.
WABN: What other profession do you most often seek advice from with respect to you team’s performance and why?
CC: I have a large team of professionals at the club – including coaching staff, fitness staff, physiotherapists, doctors, psychologists and dieticians. All are very important and I consult with them regularly.
WABN: How do you manage player egos?
CC: By providing constant, honest feedback.
WABN: What currently frustrates you about your sport and what would you do to change it?
CC: There are no real frustrations. The advice of coaches is regularly sought by the AFL and our ability to contribute to the game is strong.
WABN: How important is it for players to develop skills outside of their sport? What do you do to encourage it?
CC: It is essential for them to develop external skills. Our player welfare group works with every player in this area. Careers can be short so it is super important for players to have plans and interests outside of football.
WABN: What sport do you play to relax?
CC: I enjoy riding my bike around the Swan River.
WABN: What music do you listen to for motivation?
CC: I listen to a lot of older stuff like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and also AC/DC, Status Quo or Van Morrison.
WABN: What sporting identity do you most admire and why?
CC: Ron Barassi because of his passion for everything.
