Melbourne United’s Nik Popovic receives world-wide recognition

When you’ve spent your professional career improving others and driving them to be the very best athlete they can be, accepting recognition for yourself is something that doesn’t come naturally.

For Melbourne United High Performance Manager, Nik Popovic, that statement is true.

Popovic was recently awarded the extremely prestigious NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) Emeritus level. NSCA, the U.S.A governing body of Strength and Conditioning Coaches, only awards Emeritus level recognition to coaches who have worked at the highest elite level for over 20 years.

Popovic is only the ninth non-American in the world to receive this recognition, and just one of four Australians who have been presented with the honour.

Popovic's NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) Emeritus level award.

“Being open and upfront, typically I keep a low profile about these things, I’m not one that goes on, because you can’t achieve anything like this unless you’re around good people consistently throughout your career,” Popovic said.

“It’s one of those things that I was thinking about the other day, where has all the time gone? This is my 23^rd year, I started in 1998 in the NBL with the West Sydney Razorbacks.”

Popovic began working at United prior to the 2019/20 season and had an immediate impact. His energy, enthusiasm and dedication are second to none and he’s helped United players reach new levels of fitness and strength.

Popovic’s energy is infectious and he will leave no stone unturned in helping his players reach their full potential.

After starting out at the West Sydney Razorbacks as an assistant, Popovic worked tirelessly to rise through the ranks. He worked at the Sydney Kings with Brett Brown and then Brian Goorjian, the Australian Boomers, South Dragons and then moved to China alongside Goorjian. His time in China lasted a decade, before returning to Australia in 2019 to join United.

“My goal way back at the start was, can I get a job in the NBL? Along the way, I’ve worked with so many elite coaches and medical/support staff – you can’t survive unless you’re around good people,” he said.

“Some of the best people I’ve met are in this industry. They’ve got your back and help you out, and while we all make mistakes along the way, they keep supporting you.”

When asked how he maintains the dedication and energy required in his role, Popovic had a simple and telling answer.

“I don’t think I could do anything else,” he said with a laugh.

“You have to have passion for what you do, and I love what I do. I love the job, I love working with elite athletes – I believe that you can improve with whatever you set out to get better at, as long as you have the desire to put in the hard work and enjoy the process.”

“As a young kid I was very unathletic, so from a young age I was very motivated to be better myself. When you learn that you can do it for yourself, the best gift you can ever give to someone is to help them improve.

“The way I maintain that energy, enthusiasm and willingness to keep going is because I feel very lucky and grateful for what I do on a daily basis. You’ve got to follow your passion.”

Popovic credits every coach he has worked with in helping him improve and learn, while two elite strength and conditioning coaches standout as mentors; Bohdan Babijczuk and Valeri Stoimenov.

“Bohdan and Val are phenomenal human beings who were both very influential in my career. Without people like that, it’s impossible to get to this point.” He said.

Without a doubt, injuries are one of the worst aspects of sport but Popovic takes great joy and pride in helping his players return from injury and get back to doing what they love.

“Look, injuries suck. I think when an athlete gets injured and they can’t do what they love doing, it’s really frustrating and difficult for them to have to deal with,” he said.

“I take utmost joy in seeing a player return from injury, because even if it’s half a percent of a difference that you’ve made, you’ve had a positive impact on not only that person’s career and returning to play, but their livelihood and mindset because they’re back to doing what they love doing.”

In his second season with United, Popovic is loving his time in Melbourne.

“The crew at Melbourne United; Dean and his assistants, the physios and medical team here, I attribute receiving an award like this to the numerous people who have supported me along the way,” he said.

“The people here are great - everyone from Vince at the CEO level through to every single person in the office and on the team have been supportive.”

Popovic would like to thank everyone who has supported him along the way and credits his longevity to those closest to him

“I’ve got to thank my wife Rada – she’s been unwavering in her support for the full 23 years. When you’re trying to get a full-time position in professional sports – back when I started not every basketball team had a full-time strength and conditioning coach – you’re trying to forge an avenue there and pioneer a pathway. The people around you who support you through that, they’re incredibly important,” he said.

“There’s three major people who come to mind; Rada, my mum Mirjana – she is the rock in our family, and my brother, Miroslav who has always had my back throughout my career.

“Also, Grant Tomkinson – we became the best of friends throughout university and he’s now a professor at the University of North Dakota in the US. He’s one of the smartest people I know, he’s extremely supportive, and has helped me with so much research and information. He’s always been there by my side when I’ve needed him.

“I’d like to dedicate the award to my late father Risto who passed away in 2016. Without both my parents taking a huge gamble to migrate to Australia in 1972, I wouldn’t have had any of the opportunities to fulfill any of my goals and dreams.”

Popovic would also like to highlight the tireless work of the United medical team, physios, strength and conditioning coordinator Jay Ellis and team manager Stephan Semerci.