Craig Bellamy and Frank Ponissi in the US. Source: News Limited
CRAIG Bellamy isn't left stunned too often. He has seen and achieved everything in rugby league.
The Melbourne coach though was bewildered several times on a two-week fact-finding mission through the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise, the Miami Heat NBA club and then to world-famous University of Notre Dame.
There was the brilliance of 203cms tall Heat superstar LeBron James, watching the Dolphins live beat San Diego Chargers and the military precision of flying 154 players and staff from Miami to Tampa Bay.
There was also the media circus surrounding a bullying row at the Dolphins, having a 45-minute meeting with Miami Heat president Pat Riley and then a few days studying the sporting programs at Notre Dame, 100km east of Chicago.
Bellamy and Storm football general manager Frank Ponissi this week conducted a 90 minute presentation of their trip - which included two Dolphins matches - to members of the Melbourne football staff.
It was access all areas for the pair and they sat-in on each and every facet of the Dolphins organisation.
Mike Wallace #11 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter with Lamar Miller #26 of the Miami Dolphins and Brian Hartline #82 of the Miami Dolphins against the Carolina Panthers at Sun Life Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Pic: Chris Trotman. Source: AFP
''It was a real eye-opener,'' Bellamy said.
"The door for us was open right through.
''It was something I never thought I would get the chance to do.
''Watching LeBron - I'm not a big basketball fan so I didn't realise how good he was. Watching him live was amazing.''
Ponissi was shocked when he arrived in Miami.
''We got their Sunday and went straight onto a plane to Tampa Bay where they play the Buccaneers,'' he said.
''It was like a military operation. There were 154 on the plane. We walked straight off the plane at the other end and four buses were there. The first two were for the players, the third for staff and the fourth for staff and guests. The buses were on the tarmac waiting and then a police escort took us to our hotel.
''We were in all the team meetings - we weren't barred from anything.''
Bellamy was transfixed with meeting Riley.
''That was worth the trip alone,'' Bellamy said.
But watching LeBron was the highlight.
'We watched the Heat against the Mavericks. They were some of the best athletes I have ever seen,'' Ponissi said.
''LeBron James scored 39 points. He blew us away.''
Miami Heat's LeBron James celebrates his team's win over the Toronto Raptors in an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Friday, Nov. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mark Blinch) Source: AP
Bellamy and Ponissi walked into a Dolphins franchise in turmoil after offensive lineman Richie Incognito had been suspended for allegedly bullying teammate, Jonathan Martin. It made worldwide headlines.
''It was amazing how they handled the situation,'' Ponissi said.
''It is a critical time in their season, the Dolphins are playing for a wildcard position.
''They just got on with it. It sort of reminded us about our salary cap drama. We felt the best way forward was that we don't change the routine, don't change the structure.''
Bellamy and Ponissi spoke openly about their trip on Wednesday with Storm staff.
It was professional development for them,'' Ponissi said.
''It is good to mark yourself against other high performance units. Some things you feel you do better yet you learn in other areas.''
The pair also took-in time at Notre Dame.
''We looked at their softball, volleyball and tennis programs - it was phenomenal,'' Ponissi said.
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