Rohan Mullin was a champion pitcher who represented Victoria and Australia throughout the 1990s.

Six years ago his life took a sudden turn when he suffered a severe stroke that left him unable to use the left side of his body.

Despite his struggles and hardships, Mullin’s passion and love for softball never deviated. He now puts his wealth of softball knowledge and experience to good use, working with junior pitchers in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs.

SV Media caught up with Mullin who spoke about his road to recovery, his love for softball, his enjoyment for developing junior pitchers and what representing Victoria meant to him.

“I had a stroke over six years ago, where I lost all the use of the left side of my body. It took me two years to learn to walk again, even after being told that I probably wouldn’t walk again.”

“I spent two years learning to walk, which I can do now, but it’s still very challenging.” Mullin said.

Mullin’s passion for the sport started at a young age, he explained that once he got his first taste of playing softball, there was no turning back.

He said he even used softball as an outlet to push through his recovery, with the physical softball being a symbol that represents his comfort zone.

“I’ve been in love with softball since I was a kid. Once you have the softball bug, you have the softball bug!”

“Because I’ve been around it all my life, when I was in hospital after my stroke, my then wife brought in a softball that I could hold onto when laying in bed.”

“So I could find my comfort zone, smell the ball and hold it.” Mullin said.

Now that his playing days are over, Mullin gets enjoyment in helping junior pitchers develop their skills and strive to be the best they can be.

“I now enjoy helping kids, I go down to the local football oval, sit on a park bench and explain to the kids what to do, how to train and instruct them from there.”

“I train them outside their comfort zones. The goal of each session is to make gradual improvements.”

“I’m a bit harder on them, my standards are high because I know their abilities and see what they can achieve.”

Mullin’s goal with coaching junior pitchers is to ensure there’s a clear plan in place, whether it’s for a particular training session, tournament, or the season as a whole.

“We set out a plan, we plan for the future, or for the tournament. The plan is to pitch as best as you can to help your team win that tournament.”

Mullin also spoke about his own career as a pitcher, which took him to several tournaments around the world.  With nothing holding more significance to him than representing the Big V and doing his state proud.

“I was lucky enough to travel all around the world playing softball in my career. Playing events in Japan, Europe, America and Canada.”

“Playing for Victoria was a real passion, because my old coach Andy Bailey used to train us that hard, that we would go through a brick wall for him.”

“Playing for Victoria was everything to me, the year we won the Under 19s Nationals against NSW in the final, was a real highlight.” He said.

Mullin is confident that with the strong development of softball in Victoria, the juniors he’s coaching today will continue to be afforded similar opportunities to what he had.

“I think it’s important they [Junior pitchers] keep working hard, Victorian softball has so many opportunities for young players.”

“These kids will have the same opportunities as I had, if they work hard enough to make that happen.”

“I’ve failed many times, more than I succeeded, you learn from your every failure you have made.”

“The challenge when you fail is whether you’re good enough to come back.”

“If any other pitchers are ever looking for any help, senior or younger, I’m happy to help. Make sure you all come out this Summer and have a look!”