Steven Stroobants has been appointed Captain of the Bendigo Gold football team for the 2013 season.
His appointment, and that of former Sandringham player Matt Stapleton as the team’s Vice-Captain, was announced by Coach Austinn Jones during the Club’s Community Camp held at the weekend.
Announcing the appointments, Austinn said that both decisions had been strongly supported by members of the Club’s Board of Management and the entire coaching panel.
“Steven is our most experienced VFL player and he’s an integral part of our plans to build a very competitive VFL team in 2013 and beyond” he said.
“He polled well in the Club’s 2012 best and fairest award and he consistently plays well against quality VFL opponents.
“He’s got an outstanding ability to read the play, to make position and really put his own influence on a match, which is imperative at this level.
“However, being the captain of a VFL team isn’t just about football ability although obviously that’s important.”
“Steven’s earned everyone’s respect with his playing record and his personal qualities.”
“Throughout our pre-season training schedule, he’s demonstrated genuine leadership qualities amongst our young playing group.”
“His work ethic on the track during the summer has been outstanding and his leadership, enthusiasm and overall commitment to the Club have really been major factors in generating, and maintaining, the eagerness that every player has shown.”
“In addition, he’s tremendously loyal to this football club and loyalty and dependability are qualities that I rate and respect very highly” Austinn said.
Vice-Captain Matt Stapleton is a newcomer to the Bendigo Gold team, having previously played VFL football with Sandringham.
“Matt’s another player who’s done everything asked of him during pre-season training” Austinn said.
“He knows what’s required to play VFL football, especially for young players coming to this level for the first time, and his knowledge and experience has made him a leader in the playing group.”
“Matt continually demonstrates a very professional approach to football and his enthusiasm and encouragement instils the same level of aspiration and commitment in the other players.”
“With his leadership abilities and the respect he’s gained amongst the whole team since coming to the Club, he will provide strong support for Steven.”
The Club has also selected Tom Hams, Lee Coghlan, Nathan Beck and Daniel Toman as members of the 2013 Leadership Group.
“Each of these players has shown genuine leadership qualities and developed a real rapport with the playing group” Austinn said.
“Nathan will play an essential role as a key defender and his ability to read the play well will add a lot of strength to our defensive set-ups, while Tom’s work ethic on the training track and in the pre-season intra-club matches has been outstanding.”
“Lee is predominantly a very skilled midfielder and forward line player who has put in an excellent pre-season and he’ll have a profound influence during our matches.”
“Coming to Bendigo Gold from the VFL’s Northern Blues team Daniel, who provides genuine forward pocket and rover options for us, is seeking more opportunities to play at this elite level and he’s also fitted into our playing group extremely well.
“Each of these players commands a great deal of respect amongst the playing group and the coaching staff.”
“They’ve already made big contributions in terms of encouraging less-experienced players, building team spirit and bringing a positive influence to the team and we had no hesitation in bringing them into the leadership group.”
“We’re very clear about the direction in which this football club is heading and all our planning is directed at building a very competitive VFL team.”
“Our leadership group has a significant role to play and I’m very confident that these players will do their utmost to bring credit to the Club.”
Last Modified on 05/03/2013 16:51