#25 Sporting Parent Dean Sapolu - Parenting 3 boys towards High Performance

If you enjoy the content and want to show your appreciation, you can shout me a coffee using the link below:
https://buymeacoffee.com/strive365

Today's guest is Dean Sapolu.

Dean is a father to three boys, Kai, Kody & Kalen. He is also a former athlete, playing college football in the US and is a current Corporal in the Australian Defence Force.

All three of his boys are at different stages of their journeys towards professional football.

Oldest boy Kai has experienced professional football in Asia, Kody has had trials in Europe and youngest son Kalen has just gained selection into the Melbourne Victory Academy.

In this episode we discuss the boys’ journeys and the role that support parents play in the tricky road to the HP level of sport.

Ok, let’s go

Dean Sapolu Bio

Business

• Australian Defence Force (20 Years)

Sport

• Played College Football – University of Florida (USA)

Kai (19):

• TIDC
• Melbourne Victory Academy
• Overseas trails
• PSV Eindhoven (Holland) 2020 
• Atalanta (Italy) 2020 
• Project Squad (FAM) Malaysian National U20 Team (2023)
• Johor Darul Tazim (Malaysia)
• Asia Football Showcase (Thailand)
• Malaysia National U23s Camp – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) (2023)
• Oakleigh Cannons (2023)
• Johor Darul Tazim 2024 (Malaysia)

Kody (14):

• Football Victoria NTC, SAP and TIDC
• Victorian State Soccer Team U12 SSV 2022 (Perth, Australia) – National Champions
• Overseas trails

o   Clubs PSV, Ranges, PEC Zwolle, IFK Norrkoping, OH Leuven, FK Makedonija, NK Maribor, Kalmar FF, Parma, Johor Darul Tazim (Malaysia) 

• Malaysia National Team (FAM) U15 & U17 – Watching
• School Sports Victoria (SSV) State U12 Discus Champion 2023
• Victorian State Badminton Championships (Primary) – 1st Open Division (2021)
• Hoi Tin (Hong Kong Dual Meet) Swimming Championships – 1st (2019)

Kalen (12):

• Melbourne Victory Pre Academy and Academy
• Victorian State Badminton Championships (Primary) – 1st Open Division (2022)
• Hoi Tin (Hong Kong Dual Meet) Swimming Championships – 3rd (2019)

Chapters -

0.40 Gareth & Deans connection story

1.20 Kai (19), Kody (17)

Chapters

• 6:30 Challenges sporting parents experience around an A league environment
• 14:00 Experience of trials with overseas clubs
• 28:00 Managing all three boys journey at the same time
• 42:00 Advice to aspiring athletes & coaches of HPAD athletes
• 58:30 Rapid Fire Questions