Layke Rossiello

Details

Category: Gridiron

How did you become involved your sport?

I played juniors during the summer because a group of friends got a flier in school.

Do you have a sporting mentor?

Marty Jackson was my coach and mentor while I was learning the game.

Who is your sporting hero?

Zach Thomas, he played middle line backer for the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys and was always the guy that everyone said was to slow to small to weak to play football yet he played in the National Football League for 12 years and was one of the greatest linebackers to ever play.

Age you started in your sport?

I started playing American football when I was 16.

Age, Weight and Height?

24, 100kg, 175cm or 5 foot 9 inches

Accreditation's/Certificates/Degrees?

Level 1 Coach

What is the reason you continue to play your sport today/motivation?

I play because I love the sport and I want to be around and playing when it grows into something bigger and better.

What is your current club?

The Bay City Buccaneers from Geelong in Victoria.

People that have inspired you not only in sport but in life aswell?

Zach Thomas, Marty Jackson, Mike Holton and my old man Rob Rossiello.

Great experiences that happened in your life?

I represented Australia in the 2011 IFAF World Championships in Vienna Austria against USA, Mexico, Germany and Austria.

Your Interests and Hobbies outside of your sport?

American Football is everything and I do this for 48 weeks of the year.

One tip or quote which continues to inspire you?

Its not professional here yet, but when it is, I'll be ready!!!

Family Background and current family?

I am engaged to my beautiful partner Rachel Shaw and hope to get married at some stage.

Happiest memory?

Playing for the under 19 junior Australia team in 2005.

Who did you grow up idolizing?

I never really had any idols growing up because I chopped and changed what I did in my spare time allot.

Who has been your most influential coach?

Marty Jackson.

How has playing your sport changed your life?

The sport of American Football has moulded me into the person I am today. It has taught me how to be disciplined, focused, strategic, aggressive, compassionate and most importantly how to not put so much pressure on myself when playing. I have been lucky enough to travel the world playing the sport I love and I would never have gotten this opportunity doing anything else.

What is the greatest advice you can pass onto young players?

Train how you want to play, play like every down is your last and play like someone hit your mother with a piece of wood.

Were you one of the best players growing up?

I am not a naturally gifted athlete and I have had to work very hard in the gym and on the gridiron to be one of the best players.

Training Background(sports, etc)?

I used to do gymnastics, dance, Australian rules, soccer, ice hockey, rugby, baseball and athletics. Now I play football and work out in the gym 3 to 5 days per week.

Favourite Foods/Type of diet you follow?

I follow very strict diets during the season and off season. Off season: High protein from chicken, eggs, red meat and fish and low carbohydrates mainly from rice. This helps me to lose fat and maintain muscle during the off season.On Season: I increase the amount of carbohydrates I eat to reduce muscle loss caused by the additional running and cardio from training and games.

Favourite Bodypart to Train plus training spilt(training schedule + fav session)

I currently train 3 days per week:Monday: Chest, back and Arms Tuesday: Legs and Back Thursday: Chest, Back and Shoulders My favorite workout is the Thursday chest, back and shoulders.

Describe a typical day?

7:00am eat8:00am start work10:00am eat12:00pm eat2:00pm eat4:30pm finish work and eat5:00pm work out7:00pm eat9:30pm eat and sleep

Worst injury you have suffered?

I suffered a cracked tibia plateau (in the knee joint itself) and a torn medial meniscus.

Sporting/Club History and positions played?

Bay City Buccaneers2004 juniors - MLB and FB2005 Seniors - RB2005 Juniors - RB and MLB2006 Seniors - RB2006 Juniors - RB, FB and MLB2007 Seniors - FB2009 Seniors - MLB2010 Seniors - MLB2011 Seniors - MLB

Greatest sporting moment you have had thus far? Achievements to this point?

Winning the 2011 Senior Vic Bowl for the first time in our clubs history. It took allot of commitment from allot of different people over the past 7 years to make it happen.

Who has been your greatest rival on the field?

Lincoln Decker RB for the Monash Warriors and Matthew Croasdaile RB for the NSW Wolfpac.

What is your favourite movie?

Rocky 4

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

My old man always said to me "if you do what you have always done, you'll be what you've always been" its great advice.

How do you deal with temptation?

I don't really have a sweet tooth so I don't really get tempted by food.

What is your favourite music/band/song?

Big Band music and my favorite artists are Michael Buble and Dean Martin

What is your biggest fear?

Dieing and not being remembered by anyone.

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

I believe that some people have it handed to them under like the father son rule in the AFL. I believe that never giving up is the key to success in sport.

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

Yes I still remember nearly every missed tackle, dropped interception and missed opportunity from most of the games I have played. But I just get back in the gym Monday and work harder to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

What inspired you to succeed?

I want to be known as the best football player to ever play the game in this country.

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

A professional singer

Typical game day routine?

I review in my head everything that the team did to me last time we played them and in what they did in key situations and what I will do this time to beat it. I do this right up until we step onto the field for warm ups.

What is the ultimate prize for you in your sport and why?

At the National Level it is the Tournament MVP. I want to win this to show that I am the best in the country.

Your Future Goals in your sport , what are goals after you have finished playing?

I want to be paid to play or coach somewhere in the world.

What's the one thing about you few people know?

I moved to line backer in seniors because I was scared of getting injured again playing running back.

What one item can you not live without?

I can't live without my blender.

People you would like to thank?

I would like to thank my beautiful partner Rachel for putting up with me all these years and being my good luck charm on game day.

• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE