Meeting Marist College Ashgrove’s Isaac Roach
AIC First XI football: Meeting Isaac Roach, the sporting Mr Versatile of the AIC competitions.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Isaac Roach is some type of sportsman. From Marist College Ashgrove, Roach is the Mr Versatile of College sport, a young gun across three sports who has aspirations to play in a fourth later this season – before finishing the years with track and field.
Firstly Roach was co-captain of the premiership winning Marist XVIII side which claimed the Australian football premiership in Term 1.
HOW ROUND 1 OF AIC FIRST XV UNFOLDED
During that term, he also found time to represent Marist in the First volleyball side, and this term Roach is captain of the Marist College Ashgrove side which beat Villanova 3-nil in round one of football last Saturday.
In other matches, St Edmund’s College enjoyed a 2-nil win over St Peters Lutheran College, St Laurence’s College and Iona played out an exciting two-all draw, while in a high scoring encounter Padua out gunned St Patrick’s 5-3.
RELATED LINKS
AIC FOOTY’S THREE WAY PREMIERSHIP TIE
HOW THE AIC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP UNFOLDED
MEETING THE MR FOOTY AND MR CRICKET OF AIC SPORT
When term 2 football comes to a close, Roach will swing his attention to trying to make the Marist rugby league Firsts in term 3, before aiming to smooth out the year by representing Ashgrove in its powerful AIC track and field team.
“I try to juggle some track and field training as I hope to be part of the open track and field team for another year.’’ Roach said.
It was also possible Roach may get the call up for cross country this year as well after being a member of the team previously, while he was also a young gun tennis player in the past as well.
“That (tennis) was a lot of fun but I’m afraid the racquet doesn’t come off the shelf much these days. But tennis was a big part of my life as a junior,’’ said Roach, who nominated tennis great Roger Federer as his sporting idol.
So how hard is it to juggle so many sports?
“Yes, most definitely it is, but the outcome and the journey of each respective sport makes it all worth it,’’ Roach said.
“Juggling the workload of training and playing schedules definitely can be a challenge, but luckily I’ve never accidentally dribbled the league ball during a game or picked up the soccer ball and taken a snap at goal – yet,’’ he laughed.
RELATED LINKS
LAURIE’S SPORTING YOUNG GUN FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD
HOW THIS BULLDOGS’ BOY HELPED VILLA’S FOOTY CAMPAIGN
“The track and field training and competition is a great foundation for the other sports – not just in terms of physical performance, but also being able to steady myself and focus on the here and now.
“I’ve found that your mentality is just as important as your physicality in sport.
“Certainly, there’s some crossover in terms of skills – the jumping in volleyball helps with AFL, the more tactical approach in soccer can be used in league as well.
“In the past, I’ve been tempted to play one sport to see how far I can go with that, and I’ll probably be at that point again soon as I leave school.’’
Roach also gave an insight into the different sports.
“I love the spirit on the court in volleyball – it can be tough because there’s nowhere to hide. “If you’re having a cracker of a game yourself, you can make a big difference to the end result but the opposite is true too.
“The physicality involved in league and AFL can be brutal at times but I love the preparation with your team, it’s a real sense of getting ready to go into battle each week.
“It’s such a good feeling to see one of your teammates go over the line, lay a big tackle or kick a goal between the sticks.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was four and only stopped club training a couple of years ago.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in the First XI since Year 9, and the different positional plays, tactics and pure passion among the boys make the game one of a kind.
“In general, I like the variety it gives me, playing against some talented young athletes in their prospective fields and developing different kinds of fitness. For another example, power and speed in league versus more endurance in soccer and AFL,’’ he explained.
“I also enjoy the challenge of getting fit and prepared for each different sport. For example, trying to put on weight after the soccer season for league then quickly shred it off again for the track.
“Whether it’s in a team or not, the spirit involved in each sport is something very enjoyable as well.’’
And here’s the big question. What sport does Roach enjoy most?
“At the risk of offending my other teammates and coaches, it’s probably got to be track and field.
“It’s been a foundation for all my sport since I was young and I have met some of my best mate’s taking part in it.
“This is along with meeting my coach, Rob Martin, who has been so influential and positive in shaping the person I am today. I enjoy the challenge to become faster and stronger, which assists well with my other sports.
“As for what I’m best at – I’d probably say soccer,’’ said Roach, who was also an NPL and junior representative footballer.