It is really simple for me to answer and there are two key reasons.

Firstly, I understood the enormity of the challenge when applying for the role with the Bendigo Football Club.

However, and more importantly, myself and everyone involved with the club get great satisfaction from watching our playing group’s positive attitude and enthusiasm every week. 

Their resilience and character is very rare.

It got me thinking about what have been the key positive moments in my time at the club and I have narrowed down to my top five.

1. The people I have met and the respect I have gained for our players is and always be the greatest memory I have gained from this experience. 

I have made friends for life and will follow an entire list’s career as their footy futures develop.

2. The signing of Alik Magin.  Alik committed at a time when we were really struggling to have locals or out of towners commit to the club and it brought great excitement to our group before the 2013 Christmas break.

3. The day we announced we would continue. 

Although the campaign only bought us 12 months, it ended up being the 12 months that  allowed everyone in the club time to plan and prepare for the following year.  Basically, it allowed for respectful treatment of people.

4. Our roles in community projects. 

These young men have extremely mature outlooks in where they sit in life, and in only 18 months have made so many Bendigo peoples lives better by putting these peoples needs before their own.

5. Being involved with the RecLink program and coaching Bendigo Victory. 

We have a great group of young men and women who love their Wednesday footy.  It also gave me the opportunity to meet great community minded people like Chris and Peter Lakey, as well as all of the hard workers at St. Luke’s.

Of course, the list could go on and could include some of the tough times but as we do as a club, I have focused on the positives.