This blog is a first of it's kind for The Health and Performance Academy, as we chat with Stefan Okunbor for our first interview style blog.
Stefan is a Gaelic Footballer with Kerry GAA, having previously played in the AFL with the Geelong Cats for a number of years. Stefan is no stranger to high performance, and we're looking forward to sharing some of his intriguing insights with you.
Interview with Stefan Okunbor
How would you define High Performance in sport?
High performance in sport is the ability to recover quickly from injuries and setbacks whilst maintaining peak mental and physical condition. I would define High performance as the ability to play at an elite level consistently whilst combining, strategic planning, mental toughness and physical fitness.
What role has sport played in your life?
Sport has provided me with countless opportunities both on and off the football field. It has enabled me to grow as a leader and injected me with confidence and self-belief that seldom few may be able to unlock over their lifetimes. It has been an integral part of my character. When I say this, I mean it has shaped me into the resilient person I am today and forged a lot of traits that have helped me in “staying on the right path”. I guess sport has played the role of a guidance counsellor if that makes sense, it has taught me discipline and accountability which has helped me in other aspects of my life.
What lessons/behaviours have you learned/gained from sport which have benefited other aspects of your life outside of sport?
I have learned a lot from my experiences in sports, particularly about handling rejection. Rejection can come in many forms, such as in job or relationship situations. My time spent in athletics has helped me develop mental resilience, which has been beneficial in dealing with challenges, failures, and rejection.
What did you find the most enjoyable about your time in Australia?
As cliché as it sounds, building relationships was definitely the best part about my 3 year stint in Australia. Coupled with the opportunity to train at an elite level and play out my dreams of playing professional sports, I thoroughly enjoyed my time down under. Being able to experience such a different culture as an AFL Player was amazing.
What did you find toughest about your time in Australia?
The toughest part about my 3 year stint was definitely facing injuries. A lot of stress is put on you when you are not out on the track, even though most of it is self driven, you are in an awful dark place when you’re injured. You look at Australia and AFL through rose tinted glasses from home and never imagine that injuries would even come into the picture so when they do you are hit with a massive reality check and it can be very tough getting through it, essentially alone since you are so far away from family, friends and the support network you would’ve been used to back in Ireland.
What are the main differences in cardiovascular training in the AFL vs GAA?
They really focus on endurance tailored around your specific position. Everything is monitored thoroughly and let’s say, the Ruckman position in the AFL would have a specific running programme and it wouldn’t cross over with a halfback for example who would have to cover far more ground.
The game can go on for 2 hours so emphasis on endurance is key during the pre season. They make sure you aren’t overloaded and focus on how your body reacts to the training loads. In terms of quantity, the AFL’s workload definitely surpasses GAA.
What are the main differences in resistance training in the AFL vs GAA?
Similarly to the cardiovascular training, the resistance training programmes are tailored for specific positions and player body types. I have found that in the GAA it’s a one size fits all approach when it comes to gym programmes. This is counterproductive when taking into account players body types and personal goals. Maybe it’s due to lack of resources and S&C coaches or just lack of knowledge, I’m not quite sure. It definitely needs to change as the GAA load and training commitment increases.
The GAA focus on a lot of compound lifts, whereas certain players in the AFL who are prone to putting muscle on quickly or injuries wouldn’t be let near compound lifts.
What one athlete in the AFL stands out to you and why?
Patrick Dangerfield from The Geelong Cats. He is a genetic freak in terms of power and explosiveness. If he was to play in the GAA there isn’t one single player that would be able to keep up with him or strip him of the ball.
Did you find much difference in the locker room environment between AFL and GAA?
Huge, huge difference. I am stating the obvious here but we all know Ireland is a few years behind in terms of most things. The craic in an AFL environment is incomparable when comparing both AFL and GAA. I think this just boils down to culture, we don’t speak openly about controversial topics in Ireland. It’s all behind closed doors, this leaks in society and definitely into a sports dressing room.
In Australia, everything goes, no topic is off the table and you wouldn’t know what to expect when walking into a changing room. They are definitely more open with their views and when it comes to changing room environment they are far more relaxed and see it as a leisure (but train with a competitive edge and intensity of course). They have far more colourful characters in the changing rooms, music playing and some fellas would be dancing or whatever, all of this would be frowned upon in an Irish changing room. I was a big advocate last season for budgy smugglers during training sessions in the warmer months and a few players got a laugh out of it but no one would’ve dared to throw a pair on for the crack. It’s almost religious to go to the beach post training in Australia and all rock up in a pair of budgy smugglers and go for a recovery dip. Now I know the smugglers are only a small trivial example but it just shows how more relaxed and open minded the Ozzies are. I think the competitiveness and no bullshit approach in Ireland is definitely beneficial come crunch time (championship time) but it can also take out the “fun” out of the game which creates an intense edgy environment.
What advice would you give any young person starting their journey in the AFL?
Leave no stone unturned. Soak up as much information as possible and take every opportunity given to you on and off the football field. People are more inclined to help you as you are on an AFL list and definitely make the most of that. Once again, typical cliché, have fun.
Does the high-performance environment with Kerry differ to that in the AFL?
I think Kerry is very similar to AFL teams in their professionalism, and in some cases far more professional than some of the AFL teams. One thing that stands out to me is that football in Kerry hasn’t been fully monetised. It isn’t seen as a business model and if that changes I think the high performance environment will follow suite to that of a professional team. We have brilliant physios and an S&C coach and they do a brilliant job but there are a few aspects that might need to be tweaked to be a bit more professional such as designated rehab coaches. I understand that Kerry are far more equipped than most counties so I am not complaining but there is definitely room for improvement.
Where do you see high performance in the GAA in 5-10 years’ time?
I think the GAA will have to invest more into the players/clubs from a financial standpoint because as the commitment increase there will be a state of diminishing marginal returns. You will have to compromise on other things such as career or travel/relationships to keep up. I think the GAA will definitely be training like professional athletes in 5-10 years.
We would like to thank Stefan for taking the time to answer some of our questions, as we have no doubt it will benefit many people from a variety of backgrounds. We wish him the best going forward, personally and professionally.
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