A passionate follower of US sports, Gold Coast SUNS High Performance Manager Stephen Schwerdt’s team exit meeting drew inspiration from NBA megastar Lebron James, as he motivated the players to return ready for an even tougher 2014 pre-season camp. 

Regarded the best basketball player in the world, James is idolised by a host of players on the Gold Coast roster – with skipper Gary Ablett a self-confessed Miami Heat fan. 

The subject of scrutiny for much of his career, James’ road to NBA Championship glory is one highly publicised in sports history.

Once considered a poor defensive player and a liability in pressure situations, James has spent each of his summers (spanning over ten years) working on his weaknesses and improving different areas of his game.

With the bulk of his off-seasons spent in the gym and under the basket, Schwerdt said the two-time NBA Champion was the athlete’s model he hoped players would work off during their break. 

“I mentioned to the players Lebron James and his off-season is about improving his weaknesses,” Schwerdt said.

“He has a week or two off and is then straight back in to it trying to get better.”

“The message to our players is that most athletes use their off-season to have a mental and physical break, which we want them to do because they deserve some rest and recovery, but they have a long period off and so a good portion of that needs to be preparing themselves for the pre-season.”

During their most recent visit to Arizona, Schwerdt watched how professional athletes go about their business during the summer periods, as athletes from around the US swarming to the high-altitude hot spot to improve their fitness and aerobic capacities. 

“I went to an Athlete’s Performance Centre in Phoenix where players go during their off season to get stronger, faster and more powerful.”

“With the pre-season structures getting shorter and shorter the ability to come back in shape and be able to hit the ground running is critical.”

Schwerdt believes the senior squad will come back hungrier than ever to improve as a playing group, with confidence sky-high on the back of their promising Premiership campaign.

“The proof will be in the pudding but the onus is on them to do the work,” he said.

“It’s an education thing for our guys – most the senior guys will know but our younger guys are still learning.

“We are still a young squad trying to make up ground in the competition and will be looking for more improvement this season.”