The new Bombers regime has yet to even play a game but already its clear they're doing all the right things. New Head Coach Paul Lapolice told me he's talked to about 90% of the players already and most aren't even in Winnipeg yet. Players were given a chance to voice their opinion on what they'd like to see changed and while Lapolice wouldn't get specific on what each player said there's a few things they all agree on. And it's the little things that can make a players life much easier hoping its translates on the field. A happy player is a productive player if you will. The 3 changes that might not seem like much include…new shower heads, more internet access and an improved meeting room for defensive team meetings.
New Shower Heads – Call it the Kramer Rule. Remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer and Newman scheme to buy black market shower heads when the building switches to low-flow ones. Apparently the players agree with Kramer on this one. Only 3 of the old shower heads in the locker room were up to par and players were often forced to wait for one of the "good ones". After battling in the trenches for 60 minutes who wants to wait around for a nice powerful icy blast.
Internet Access – This is pretty much self explanatory. Yes you'd like your players focussed on football 100% of the time. But in reality most players leave their families for 6 months of the year and email is now the most common form of communication. More players hanging around after practice can only make for good comradery and team building. Something that was probably lacking last season.
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Team Meeting Facilities – For those not familiar with football, players spend as much time working on their game off the field as they do on it. Nothing is worse than a dark, dingy, cramped room with 20 plus sweaty men. Players deserve a little comfort after a long practice in the scorching heat.
It may not seem like much but its certainly 3 steps in the right direction. Often just making a person feel like they have a say is enough to make them feel part of the team. And often its that sense of belonging that leads to team success. Whether or not this team makes the playoffs or even meet their expectations for 2010 remains to be seen but a tight knit locker room can make a world of difference.
Russ Hobson
Global Winnipeg
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