Hi John and welcome
We are 5 rounds into the season, can you give us your thoughts on the seasonto date.
I am happy with how the Premier Div is developing and understanding the style of play I want. From the club perspective it is great to see the numbers in Div 4 swelling compared to last year and see some old faces feel comfortable to return to Gore Hill. Ideally, I would like to feel all past players feel comfortable to return to the club – they would be most welcome. It’s disappointing for the Under 18 boys and the small numbers we currently have. We knew this would be a difficult year but the talent we have is excellent. Behind the scenes, it’s pleasing to see the efforts to turn this around, and we are not the only club relying on Under 16’s to fill up the numbers. I have also seen a improvement in the Div 1 boys last week against West’s the game style looked like in was just starting to click for them.
In the seniors, the win/lose ratio has us well placed but we need mindful that we only have a 50% win ratio against Top 5 teams, as the ladder currently stands. We need to continue to improve, the positive is that the playing group has that necessary improvement in them, it will take effort though.
North Shore has a tradition of promoting Junior players from within, can youtell us how this is going.
The lifeblood of football clubs are juniors and developing them into good footballers is a priority for me. That being said, I don't want the kids to interpret that to mean you play senior football to develop. We will make the best decisions on what we think is the best for their development. Sometimes I think we confuse a sign of their development with kids playing senior football – we need to remember we all develop at different rates and I will say I have very high standards of what a senior Sydney AFL footballer should be.
The Club has gone through a major re structure in the off season both on andoff field, as a new coach how have you personally found the club.
I have been lucky in the last two years to be involved at St George and now North Shore and the quality of the people I have met at both clubs has been top shelf. I have found everyone at North Shore very welcoming and hungry for success, the committee is doing everything to deliver on that. I would have add, we have the canteen & Best Steamed Dim Sims in NSW
What will you accept as a pass this season for the footy club.
On field, for me getting the best out of the group is what I’m striving for, continually look for improvement: Quoting Jon Wooden“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self- satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” I also believe it is necessary for ongoing success we establish among the playing group that there is no substitute for hard work, worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning. Equally important all the players & coaches need to enjoy want they are doing and we develop a strong group of players who thrive on the contest/challenge. The rest will take care of itself.
Off field, would love to see more of the past players coming back to the club either to watch or play a small role – regularly or irregularly.
And finally, What is your favourite Thursday Dinner
Anything Leesy cooks
Thanks and good luck for the rest of the season
Last Modified on 09/05/2012 22:56