Aaron Nelson is the director of the medical and physiotherapy program for the Phoenix Suns, the NBA club also owned by Robert Sarver. Mr. Nelson visited the Antonio Asensio Sports Complex and its facilities, where he met with the RCDM medical staff headed by Dr. Tomeu Munar. And to take advantage of his visit, we asked him about his impressions of the island and its Club.
What is the purpose of your visit?
Broadly, I came here to explore the island and to get to know the Club, an island highly recommended and a Club well-renowned, so I was very excited to visit. This all happened after talking with Robert Sarver and other colleagues that had had the opportunity to visit. But, the main purpose of this trip is to see the facilities and understand how the Club works first hand. It is important to talk with the technical staff, to hear their opinions, and to know if they need something that can help them work.
What do you think of this Club?
This Club is fortunate. Just like the Phoenix Suns, RCD Mallorca is fortunate to have an owner like Robert Sarver who is willing to work with the two entities to grow them, to evolve them, and to know how that is done best. One aspect that I must highlight is his attention to the professional services that he provides to the athletes: healthy eating, medical assistance, and state-of-the-art facilities. I have had the ability to work with both Mr. Sarver and with Mr. Andy Kohlberg, and they both want the best for the athletes they know and employ. It is so much easier to work with professional people, just like Steve Nash, another one of the owners. He is ultra-competitive, and a great guy who understands that equipment, facilities, and staff are key to enabling a team to compete with the best. That is how Mr. Nash was able to maintain peak physical and mental conditions to allow him to thrive in the NBA well through his 40th birthday. And he is a die-hard soccer fan. I hope that gradually these experts will continue to provide their experiences and talents to support Mallorca, whose facilities have already improved.
You were at the Antonio Asensio Sports Complex. What did you think of it?
I really like how it looks and the way it is set up. I have seen that it functions very well. It is an extraordinary complex, with high-quality facilities. The new turf looks nice, as does the new Player´s Lounge, which is a spectacular luxury and perfect for athletes. I don´t believe that many clubs have such a space, neither around the NBA nor here in the Spanish league. It is innovative and practical and they did a fantastic job.
Has anything here surprised you? Or did you imagine the Club to be like this?
I came with high expectations because I know the owners’ capabilities and have heard about Maheta Molango´s impressive track record and work ethic. At times some things only seem like promises, but here, the owners are working gradually to turn those dreams into realities. Of course there is much work to be done, but there is also a whole lot of enthusiasm moving forward. We are all very excited to help this Club reach the highest level and continue to grow. Everybody else around the world is moving in the same direction, which I think is very positive. I am an honest person and I do not talk just to talk: all of these improvements are good, and I say that because I have been here and I have seen it.
You were able to meet with the Doctor and part of the medical staff. How did those meetings go?
We talked about everything. From the things that they think we can improve and possible changes, to our experiences and ideas for the future. I explained to them how I work with my team in Phoenix and I learned what they do here. We shared many of our ideas and related them to the work we are doing, it was very gratifying. The objectives are the same here and in Phoenix: help the athletes to recuperate the most effectively and efficiently. For me, these meetings have been very positive, meeting with professionals in my field, but from different backgrounds, and learning about their practices. From now on we can use the techniques that we have successfully applied in Phoenix and adapt them to fit in Palma.
In that line of thought, are there differences between the physical training methods in Mallorca and those in Phoenix?
In essence they are the same. All sports medicine uses doctors, physios, coaches, etc... The terminology might be different here, but the objectives remain the same. All medical professionals work for the same goals, albeit with different methods. Even among soccer teams there are differences, but Phoenix and Mallorca do not differ that much as clubs, yet their working habits may vary.
Finally, after everything you have been exposed to, what do you believe that the club needs?
You know what? If the players are working in good conditions, which are evinced by positive results in the games, then the Club has all that it needs and just needs to keep working hard. All of the work and the improvements that have been made need to be reflected on the playing field. I have the feeling that this year will go well. If the players are happy, the fans will be happy as well.
Do you intend to come back?
I cannot say right now, but hopefully! I have three more days to explore and get to know the island. When I return to Phoenix I will meet with Mr. Sarver and Mr. Kohlberg to explain what I learned and how I feel about things. If they decided that another trip will be useful, it will be my pleasure to return.
