Leadership can often be used as somewhat of a buzz work in elite sport. Many people refer to it but it is difficult to pinpoint how to use it effectively.
Melbourne Storm have adopted the Emerging Leaders program as a way to ensure the legacy of leadership at the Club continues on, long after established veterans move on.
Players such as Jesse Bromwich, Dale Finucane and Tim Glasby have all graduated from Emerging Leader to Senior Leader.
That trio have begun to share in the responsibility of leading Melbourne Storm alongside Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Will Chambers.
The Club sees leadership development as vitally important in ensuring the Storm values and culture is passed on to the next generation.
“Leadership is really important, I think it has really helped us in the last few years,” Craig Bellamy said.
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“About three years ago we realised that our leadership group are not going to be around forever so we needed to start coaching our younger guys or middle tier guys.
“People believe that leaders are born and I think there is some truth in that but like anything else I think you can improve leadership if you get some education on it. That has been our focus since we’ve had the (Emerging) leadership program in there.
“Three of those guys have gone on to be in the senior leadership group. The guys when they move up and work with Cameron, Billy and those guys they learn a lot about leadership off the field as well as things on the field.
“I don’t know if it is the same system or the same routine would work for other teams or other sports but it has worked pretty well for us at the moment.”
Storm will take on the Sharks tomorrow night in a Good Friday blockbuster at Cronulla.
