The difficult task of encapsulating Velan’s work in words. His foundation of the ceremony and traditions of our ancestors coupled with a dance with the modern world is fundamental in his teachings. The Roosters has benefited through his support of our breathwork, mindfulness and individual teachings to develop our players. Through many experiences of Temazcal, breathwork and meditation, Velan has been able to develop performance as well as the Warrior within.
The place at which Velan teaches and mentors from is his gift. Clear principles of work with a nature of kindness and listening which opens a doorway to growth. I am forever grateful to Velan for his guidance and friendship.
Trent Robinson
Head Coach, Sydney Roosters
Background
The Sydney Roosters, a premier NRL club, faced challenges in team cohesion and individual player performance in 2021. Key issues included:
Key issues included:
- Dissonance in team dynamics, hindering on-field synchronisation.
- Internal mental and emotional blocks affecting player performance.
- Leaders unaware of their energetic impact on the team.
- External pressures, such as media scrutiny, disrupting players’ mental clarity.
The club sought to achieve:
- Enhanced player performance and mental resilience.
- A cultural shift toward shared values and accountability.
- Improved relational intelligence to foster trust and collaboration.
- Transformation of stagnation into dynamic growth.
Approach
Velan adopted a holistic, multi-faceted approach to address these challenges, combining energetic intelligence, psychological insight, and experiential practices. The process began with a comprehensive 360-degree assessment of team and individual dynamics to identify areas for growth.
Key Focus Areas:
- Self-Knowledge and Emotional Regulation: Educating players on breathwork, energy management, and mindfulness to enhance psychological well-being and emotional control.
- Relational Intelligence: Diffusing reactive patterns and mental loops to improve communication and collaboration.
- High-Performance Mindset: Developing a group process called TribeMind, designed to cultivate a unified, resilient team identity.
Strategies Employed:
- 360 Awareness Cultivation: Fostered personal responsibility by enhancing players’ awareness of their communication, behavior, and reactions, creating balanced, self-aware team players.
- Cognitive Overload and Neural Pathway Development: Used targeted exercises to boost creative problem-solving and adaptability under pressure.
- Long-Term Group Processes: Built trust, rapport, and resonance through consistent team-building initiatives.
- Experiential Practices: Regular sessions combining education and hands-on techniques to develop body awareness, sensitivity to non-verbal cues, and composure in high-stress situations.
- Cultural Transformation: Subtle shifts in the workplace environment to promote harmony, openness, and performance-driven dynamics.
Implementation
Over four years (2021–2024), Velan worked closely with Head Coach Trent Robinson and the Roosters’ players, leadership team, and broader organisation.
This approach included:
- Regular In-Office Sessions: Weekly classes focused on energy management, self-knowledge, relational intelligence, and physical practices to enhance body awareness and group cohesion.
- Immersive Retreats: Facilitated transformative experiences at a 100-acre rainforest retreat, where the leadership team and players engaged in team-bonding activities, sweat lodges, and deep group processes to unlock personal and collective growth.
- Internal Reviews: Introduced reflective practices to evaluate players’ mental and emotional states under pressure, refining decision-making and team-oriented behaviours.
- Leadership Development: Collaborated with Trent Robinson to explore daily energy dynamics, refine communication strategies, and cultivate a culture of self-awareness and accountability.
These initiatives created a safe, exploratory space for players and staff to develop deeper self-awareness, reflect on their impact, and self-correct for optimal performance.
This approach included:
- Regular In-Office Sessions: Weekly classes focused on energy management, self-knowledge, relational intelligence, and physical practices to enhance body awareness and group cohesion.
- Immersive Retreats: Facilitated transformative experiences at a 100-acre rainforest retreat, where the leadership team and players engaged in team-bonding activities, sweat lodges, and deep group processes to unlock personal and collective growth.
- Internal Reviews: Introduced reflective practices to evaluate players’ mental and emotional states under pressure, refining decision-making and team-oriented behaviours.
- Leadership Development: Collaborated with Trent Robinson to explore daily energy dynamics, refine communication strategies, and cultivate a culture of self-awareness and accountability.
These initiatives created a safe, exploratory space for players and staff to develop deeper self-awareness, reflect on their impact, and self-correct for optimal performance.
Results
Velan’s work yielded measurable improvements in team performance and dynamics:
Enhanced Group Cohesion
Improved on-field synchronisation and trust among players.
Mental Resilience
Players demonstrated greater ability to recover from setbacks, losses, and high-pressure situations.
Performance Trajectory
After losing key players in 2021, the Roosters progressively rebuilt, achieving.
Cultural Shift
A values-driven environment emerged, characterized by accountability, openness, and relational intelligence.
5th place in 2021
6th place in 2022
7th place in 2023
3rd place in 2024
Lessons Learned
Working with the Sydney Roosters was a transformative experience for Velan, deepening his understanding of adaptive leadership and cultural integration.
Collaborating with Trent Robinson, a visionary leader, highlighted the power of listening, adapting, and innovating to meet a team’s unique needs.
By blending ancestral practices with modern performance strategies, Velan demonstrated the universal applicability of his approach to fostering growth, resilience, and connection.
By building rapport, observing deeply, and delivering tailored education and transformative processes, Velan empowered the Sydney Roosters to achieve greater performance, cultural alignment, and individual growth.
His work reveals the universal human threads that connect all organisations—and the profound impact of fostering awareness, resilience, and shared values.
For organisations seeking to elevate performance and cultivate a thriving culture, Velan’s proven approach offers a pathway to sustainable success.
