World Footy News

After being signed to a two-year deal with Collingwood after last season, former Marist basketballer, Shae McNamara, has been adjusting to Melbourne's trams, it's footy culture, its favored pastime and its most storied club.

"Once I got here in Melboune in November, I had to not only soak up the footy culture and know what I'm doing on the field, but learn and know how these Aussies tick! They are very similar to us, but with the "tall poppy syndrome" you have to watch what you say and do, so you don't come off as a you-know-what."

"It's very different from the American culture where they hype you up and over feed your ego as opposed to here where you have to earn your stripes before you can have a swagger and even after all that they will still put you in your place if you think you're bigger or better then the rest, and rightly so. To be quite honest, no one likes a jerk."

McNamara feels very lucky that his transition to Melbourne and to footy has gone well so far. "My girlfriend came out here with me and so it's been a great transition. I've always been the type of guy that finds it easy to adapt to a new culture and make friends and more importantly not get too home sick. It's easier said than done, but I always knew it was chapters in my life and it wasn't going to be forever. So I enjoy it and take it all in, because I know I am living a dream!"

In his three week trial with Collingwood, McNamara got to practice on the hallowed turf of the MCG and was surprised to learn who his coaches, Paul Licuria and Gavin Brown, actually were. "Not 'till I found out by my own research, did I realize who they were and just how lucky I was to have one-on-ones with legends of the 'Pies and of the AFL."

McNamara is grateful for his father when it comes to transitioning from basketball to footy. Preseason means running, running and more running. According to McNamara, his father loved to run, although McNamara himself doesn't understand what his father saw in it. McNamara has been learning the skills of the game as quickly as he can. "It's been a journey with some terrible days and some amazing days. With all the extra workouts I've been doing and a little bit of some special treatments from the coaches, I think I figured it out, although there is always room to improve!"

McNamara's family has been right behind him all the way. "My family and friends know the significance of what I am doing and the doors it will open for me if I do this right. They are very happy for me and are cheering and hoping for the best."

Collingwood has welcomed McNamara into the club and the coaching staff is pleased with the progress he is making. "My teammates are amazing, we exchange laughs everyday. I think they might have had ideas of what and how I was going to be coming from the States and knowing what the stereotypical American is like, but once they saw my seriousness, focus, professionalism, as well as my respect for, not just them, but the game, they really opened up to me and have been helping me out on and off the field since day one. That is what it's all about in my eyes. It makes going to work everyday that much more enjoyable. I don't know if everyone can say that about their job."

Article courtesy of USFootyNews.com.