Message from the coach.
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:21 pmFROM SENIOR COACH – TONY BAMFORD
What a week it’s been…. Sitting back now reflecting on the events of the last 6 days, I find myself with an almost overwhelming sense of responsibility to our great footy club, its loyal people and the SA football public. Since the SANFL and the other 8 clubs rejected our proposal on Tuesday night, I have watched our administration and marketing staff working in the office at 1000 miles / hour to meet the demand of new memberships and negotiating potential sponsorships. I have witnessed loyal and devoted supporters from other SANFL clubs fork over their “hard earned” to join up as a Magpie member while saying that they couldn’t imagine the SANFL competition without a Port Adelaide Magpies in it. I have noticed board members who have very real day to day responsibilities with their own businesses, in the office packing up membership packs when they probably should be at work. A long time Magpie supporter, sponsor and mentor to many past and present players, has dug into his own pocket and purchased some new gym equipment for our young developing playing list. That is one of the many great things about this game of football, it stirs up the deepest emotions of all who participate in it, as a player, coach or supporter. Age is no barrier here. A 12 year old Magpie supporter donated her life savings on Friday of just under $400 from her own piggy bank. She even handed over the piggy bank herself!
While all this is going on, down at the oval the players, coaches and support staff are preparing for Saturday March 27, round 1 v Central District. Equally as impressive as the work and commitment shown by the office staff has been the steely focus and thirst for improvement by the playing group. I am so proud of what they have been able to achieve to this point, and it has very little to do with how they kick or catch the ball or how fast they run. It has plenty to do with the little things that a coach looks for. The stuff no training drill can teach. You could understand if the mood of the players, coaches and support staff had wavered slightly since the vote on Tuesday, but I can honestly say that I have witnessed the opposite. Normally it is the coach who does the motivating, but over the past week, by their resilience alone, the players have provided me with so much new energy and motivation. We are only 3 weeks from our first trial against Sturt on Saturday March 6 and 6 weeks from Round 1, there is still plenty to be done both on and off the track.
To our loyal supporters and the SA footy public in general, on behalf of the players, coaches and support staff I want to say thank you for all you have done so far. One thing I will guarantee for 2010 is that every time our players run out to play wearing our famous Guernsey, they will give you everything they have. That’s all any coach or supporter could ask for. See you at the footy!
Hooray!
What a week it’s been…. Sitting back now reflecting on the events of the last 6 days, I find myself with an almost overwhelming sense of responsibility to our great footy club, its loyal people and the SA football public. Since the SANFL and the other 8 clubs rejected our proposal on Tuesday night, I have watched our administration and marketing staff working in the office at 1000 miles / hour to meet the demand of new memberships and negotiating potential sponsorships. I have witnessed loyal and devoted supporters from other SANFL clubs fork over their “hard earned” to join up as a Magpie member while saying that they couldn’t imagine the SANFL competition without a Port Adelaide Magpies in it. I have noticed board members who have very real day to day responsibilities with their own businesses, in the office packing up membership packs when they probably should be at work. A long time Magpie supporter, sponsor and mentor to many past and present players, has dug into his own pocket and purchased some new gym equipment for our young developing playing list. That is one of the many great things about this game of football, it stirs up the deepest emotions of all who participate in it, as a player, coach or supporter. Age is no barrier here. A 12 year old Magpie supporter donated her life savings on Friday of just under $400 from her own piggy bank. She even handed over the piggy bank herself!
While all this is going on, down at the oval the players, coaches and support staff are preparing for Saturday March 27, round 1 v Central District. Equally as impressive as the work and commitment shown by the office staff has been the steely focus and thirst for improvement by the playing group. I am so proud of what they have been able to achieve to this point, and it has very little to do with how they kick or catch the ball or how fast they run. It has plenty to do with the little things that a coach looks for. The stuff no training drill can teach. You could understand if the mood of the players, coaches and support staff had wavered slightly since the vote on Tuesday, but I can honestly say that I have witnessed the opposite. Normally it is the coach who does the motivating, but over the past week, by their resilience alone, the players have provided me with so much new energy and motivation. We are only 3 weeks from our first trial against Sturt on Saturday March 6 and 6 weeks from Round 1, there is still plenty to be done both on and off the track.
To our loyal supporters and the SA footy public in general, on behalf of the players, coaches and support staff I want to say thank you for all you have done so far. One thing I will guarantee for 2010 is that every time our players run out to play wearing our famous Guernsey, they will give you everything they have. That’s all any coach or supporter could ask for. See you at the footy!
Hooray!
