RUSS SULIT

S&C COACH

Hi I’m coach Russ! The newest addition to the Hoops Sports Performance team and Transform-180 community. As a strength and conditioning coach, my goal is to help develop the level of basketball talent here in Western Sydney, whether it be jumping higher, running faster and mitigating chances of injury, our purpose as S&C coaches is to enhance one’s athletic qualities in the gym so as to perform better on the court.
 
Personally, I took an interest in S&C through being an athlete myself. I found that I wanted to become more athletic as I grew up quite chubby and slow while playing at the power forward/center positions. I am now more explosive and powerful on/off the court and owe that to S&C training. Growing up, I had the privilege to represent Blacktown Storm from 2013-2016, winning junior metro league championships in 2013, 2014, 2016 and state cup championships in 2013 & 2016. Playing at this level, I found that my love for Basketball grew and I knew that I had to keep it as an inherent aspect of my lifestyle.
 
As well as this, I trained under the NBTC program for Homegrown Basketball Australia in 2017 who is known for developing and sending Fil-Aus players to the Philippines. Most recently, I have played under Jo-flow Basketball academy in various local competitions and tournaments trying to develop my game and taking advantage of what I have built through S&C. Through these training sessions, I was exposed to the hard work of being an elite athlete and the discipline it takes to stay physically and mentally locked in.  

Quite recently however, my shift in training has been more so focused on improving my vertical jump ability, with the goal of becoming something along the lines of a professional dunker like Isaiah Rivera, Jordan Kilganon and J. Clark who can jump anywhere from 40-50 inches.

My time as an athlete rose to another level when I interned under Hoops Sports Performance. In combination with my ASCA level 1 certificate, I was introduced to the intent, science and general principles of strength and conditioning during which I thoroughly enjoyed. I aim to continue investing into my knowledge in the meantime, whether it be through completing more certificates, reading textbooks and being more active in the community. 
 
Aside from Basketball and S&C, I am currently studying a double Bachelors degree from Macquarie University in Science and Arts, majoring in Physics and Philosophy and minors in Mathematics and Psychology. As a physics student, the analytical framework built into me means that, when it comes to biomechanics and heavy scientific thinking, I am comfortable both applying concepts and am open to learning new albeit complex ones. With Philosophy and Psychology, I endeavour to explore the ethical, societal and existential fabrics of living and am interested in the social dynamics of existence. I seek to apply and continually advocate for critical thinking which, through philosophy, has brought me my own self awareness and opened my eyes to bias, logic and understanding; all of which are important aspects not just for the gym but all aspects of one's own life