THE Bendigo Football Club is about to start the hunt for its 2013 coach.And it wants a coach who embodies the same qualities as North Ballarat’s Gerard FitzGerald, who has led the Roosters to three of the past four VFL premierships.While Hayden Skipworth will coach the BFC this year in what is the last season of the Bendigo-Essendon alignment, advertising for the position of coach in 2013 when the club goes stand-alone will begin later this week. And with applications to close on March 7, the club hopes to be in a position to announce its 2013 coach by the end of next month.Among the criteria the successful applicant has to satisfy is: experienced, yet has a hunger to stay in touch with the latest coaching developments; the ultimate teacher; wants to win through the development of talented players, rather than purchasing the best available; and understands that in a country setting coaching is more than taking training and playing a game.“What we’re looking for is someone who has the same qualities as North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald,” new BFC chairman Peter Lodewijks said yesterday.“Being the regional team that we are, we need more than just a coach, we need someone to be part of the community.“And that includes being involved with the sponsors, supporters, coteries and local football... our coach will have to be everywhere, and that’s what Gerard does.“What Gerard does in Ballarat is amazing. He’s the coach, but he’s a bit like Kevin Sheedy in that he’s a great PR man and much more, so we’d hope to attract someone with similar qualities.“It’s an ambassadors role where he will not only be coaching, but growing the club and growing the brand, and most importantly, will be well respected.”Once the position is filled it will be part-time during the 2012 football season, before becoming full-time from October 1 in preparation for the first year of stand-alone.When appointed, the coach – who will be required to live in Bendigo – will spend much of the 2012 football season travelling and watching games to keep an eye on potential recruits.While advertising for the position hasn’t started yet, Lodewijks said the club had already received interest from prospective candidates.“I’m sure we’ll get some fantastic applicants, but we have to make sure they fit all our requirements,” Lodewijks said.The BFC’s first game of the 2012 season will be against Frankston on April 1.