When a premier of a state asks whether you would consider coaching an AFL team in greater western Sydney, it gets you thinking.
A few months ago I met with Premier Nathan Rees at the Swans-Essendon match in Sydney and as we watched the Bombers in action, he asked me about it.
He was selling the benefits of Greater Western Sydney and the great diversity of the area and the passion of people in the area when it comes to sport – all sports.
I guess that’s when the idea started to get serious. And confirmed what I had experienced in numerous visits to the area over the years from when I first came to western Sydney as a young man in National Service.
It’s an exciting area and one where the passion of the people is pretty evident for all to see. I certainly witnessed it during the NRL finals when I saw the passion of Parramatta Eels fans.
If there is that much passion in the area, how good would it be to harness some of those who want to support their western Sydney team, regardless of the code.
It’s exciting and I have to say I am as excited as the first day in 1981 when I was appointed coach of Essendon or even back in 1974 When I was first appointed as a development coach with Richmond after playing 251 games.
We all know it’s going to be a challenge but then there is nothing in life worth achieving if you don’t have to work hard for it.
After two years as an AFL ambassador working to grow the game and meeting the people, the batteries are charged and I am ready to roll up the sleeves and get into the role of building a club in Greater Western Sydney.
And the most exciting part of that is working with the local community. And engaging with the local community to build this club together.But I haven’t found a person yet that is opposed to creating more jobs, more opportunities for kids and local families and that’s essentially what we are trying to do.
It's going to take a concerted effort to win respect in the west and it is a respect we have to earn but I do feel genuinely privileged to be able to work with the local communities. It will take time and the results won’t be judged for 25-30 years but we are in for the long haul.
They say you have to have courage to take risks and we are definitely taking a risk but by the time this club is up and running it will be 30 years since the Swans first played in Sydney – that’s a long time to build a foundation for the game.
In my own view, we have taken too long to build a club for the people of Greater Western Sydney and now it’s time to do it and get it right. This is a very real opportunity for the families of Greater Western Sydney to get behind this club and to build a great club on and off the field. It’s also an opportunity for people who like their AFL to see a live game every week in Australia’s biggest city.
The list concessions afforded to this new club and the academies we are setting up across greater western Sydney will provide for local kids to play and stay AFL football at home and that’s a great start and a great selling point for local families. When you have the best development guy in Australia in Alan McConnell looking out for these kids, it is a good selling point.
We're here to give kids and families an opportunity to play a game at a national level.
It won’t be easy. It won’t happen quickly but I’ve got a few ideas and I’m ready to go.
Whatever happens, the people of western Sydney will be the winners.
