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Roosters hire "mind-game" specialist to try to help them avoid wooden spoon
Exclusive by James Phelps
From: The Daily Telegraph
August 14, 2009 12:00AM
HE is the mystery guru hired to help the Roosters avoid the wooden spoon.
A former karate champion and "mind-game" specialist, John Novak has been invited into the Roosters' inner sanctum as the club deals with a turbulent season.
A sports motivator studying for a PhD in applied psychology, Novak has been texting Roosters players daily and demanding self-assessments from the team recently dubbed a "basket case".
"I have been working very closely with a number of the players," Novak said.
"And I am already seeing big improvements. The senior guys like Willie Mason, Sam Perrett and Craig Fitzgibbon have really impressed me. You only have to sit down with them for 30 minutes to see how much they want to win and be successful.
"I am helping give them the tools to be successful, both on and of the field."
Novak has worked with some of the nation's top golfers and is the inventor of the "Boomerang effect", a system designed to help athletes conquer mental demons.
"I was doing some work with Matraville High recently and the Roosters under-20s coach (Scott Murray) asked me to come help with his team," Novak said.
"That was about five weeks ago and we have seen some clear improvement in the team's performances. We did a lot of assessment in focus, body language and mind talk, and we got some results."
In the midst of one of the worst seasons in the club's history, coach Brad Fittler turned to Novak to help the team salvage pride.
Fittler dragged his players in for a session with Novak on Wednesday - a scheduled day off.
"They just said we love what you are doing and want to give you an NRL shot," Novak said.
"What I am working on is what should be done in every moment, looking at things that are in your control and out of your control - like not wasting energy on a ref's decision. Just get on with it. The players have to be in the right space and increase their focus on what is important."
Former Test fullback Anthony Minichiello praised Novak's methods.
"He is really good," Minichiello said.
"He did some good work with the under-20s and we were introduced to him a couple of weeks ago.
"He is definitely good for us in helping you to visualise a game and prepare for it mentally."
And Novak, who recently worked with sacked Sharks halfback Brett Seymour, said he could also be the Roosters' off-field saviour.
"That is something I could help with," Novak said. "But I would need to know the players better first. There are a lot of things I could address, but we haven't even spoken about some of the recent events which have been publicised. Those things take time."
Novak was hired for a short stint but this week had his tenure extended after the Roosters' spirited performance against the Wests Tigers.
Roosters hire "mind-game" specialist to try to help them avoid wooden spoon
Exclusive by James Phelps
From: The Daily Telegraph
August 14, 2009 12:00AM
HE is the mystery guru hired to help the Roosters avoid the wooden spoon.
A former karate champion and "mind-game" specialist, John Novak has been invited into the Roosters' inner sanctum as the club deals with a turbulent season.
A sports motivator studying for a PhD in applied psychology, Novak has been texting Roosters players daily and demanding self-assessments from the team recently dubbed a "basket case".
"I have been working very closely with a number of the players," Novak said.
"And I am already seeing big improvements. The senior guys like Willie Mason, Sam Perrett and Craig Fitzgibbon have really impressed me. You only have to sit down with them for 30 minutes to see how much they want to win and be successful.
"I am helping give them the tools to be successful, both on and of the field."
Novak has worked with some of the nation's top golfers and is the inventor of the "Boomerang effect", a system designed to help athletes conquer mental demons.
"I was doing some work with Matraville High recently and the Roosters under-20s coach (Scott Murray) asked me to come help with his team," Novak said.
"That was about five weeks ago and we have seen some clear improvement in the team's performances. We did a lot of assessment in focus, body language and mind talk, and we got some results."
In the midst of one of the worst seasons in the club's history, coach Brad Fittler turned to Novak to help the team salvage pride.
Fittler dragged his players in for a session with Novak on Wednesday - a scheduled day off.
"They just said we love what you are doing and want to give you an NRL shot," Novak said.
"What I am working on is what should be done in every moment, looking at things that are in your control and out of your control - like not wasting energy on a ref's decision. Just get on with it. The players have to be in the right space and increase their focus on what is important."
Former Test fullback Anthony Minichiello praised Novak's methods.
"He is really good," Minichiello said.
"He did some good work with the under-20s and we were introduced to him a couple of weeks ago.
"He is definitely good for us in helping you to visualise a game and prepare for it mentally."
And Novak, who recently worked with sacked Sharks halfback Brett Seymour, said he could also be the Roosters' off-field saviour.
"That is something I could help with," Novak said. "But I would need to know the players better first. There are a lot of things I could address, but we haven't even spoken about some of the recent events which have been publicised. Those things take time."
Novak was hired for a short stint but this week had his tenure extended after the Roosters' spirited performance against the Wests Tigers.
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