Hy help atlete al vir sowat 20 jaar om hul volle potensiaal te bereik en Nico Koutakis is steeds passievol oor sy werk en die mense wat hy bystaan.

Koutakis is 'n krag- en kondisioneringafrigter by Maties Sport en is een van die afrigters wat gebruik word deur Maties Sport se hoëprestasieprogram (HP-program). Krag en kondisionering vorm 'n belangrike deel van die HP-program.

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"Strength and conditioning training is an organised and planned training session that target strength and conditioning for specific sports and athletes," said Koutakis. "The programme will not only depend on the sport, but also where in the season the athlete or team is. It also includes field conditioning, so not everything happens in the gym."

Koutakis added that strength and conditioning also play a role in the rehabilitation of an athlete after injury.

"We have a system in place that works. There is close communication and collaboration between us and the bio- or physiotherapist. It is important that we are all on the same page in getting the athlete back on the playing field."

According to Koutakis, strength and conditioning plays a vital role in the HP programme. "The number of sessions needed for strength and conditioning is way more than any other aspect of the programme. Teams and athletes sometimes need five strength and conditioning sessions a week."

There is no simple explanation of the strength part of the programme. "There are many different kinds of strength – strength speed, strength endurance, power endurance – and it is never just one fixed plan or move. You can get different outcomes by changing the way you hold the weight or by changing the movement."

Conditioning focuses on fitness as well as the strengthening of weak areas. "We put together a plan to get players and athletes in the best possible condition to play their sport."

Koutakis has been doing his job for some 20 years and he talks with a lot of passion when he tells you about what he does on a daily basis.

"I am passionate about what I do and the people I work with. I love working with people who are driven and want to excel. There is also the teaching element. I get the opportunity to impart some of my knowledge to the students that shadow us. The best part is seeing it all come together. It is not necessarily the end result – winning a tournament of seeing the athlete break a record – it is the journey that got us there that is the real reward."