The value of teamwork doesn't end on-field at the Kennel and VFL Coach Chris Maple says running the Footscray Bulldogs will be a collaborative effort.
Since winning the 2013 AFL Coaches’ Association Development Coach of the Year award, Maple has been assembling his team, ready for the inaugural 2014 season.
“For me I think it’s a real team effort… from the dietician, the physio, the medicos, our strength and conditioning boys and our coaches, everyone plays a part in that and that is going to be the same with our VFL side,” Maple said.
“Yes I am going to be coaching it, I’ve got great staff assisting me - Ash Hansen has been a fantastic addition to the development area last year and we’ve just appointed Joel Corey which is great for the footy Club as well.
“Starting a team up from zero has been challenging but exciting, Ben [Graham] has been fantastic helping set it all up and he has been working very hard to make sure that we’ve got good staff and good players.”
Buoyed by the talent they have secured on the emerging VFL list, Maple said there will be a mix of attributes spread across the team.
Maple believes the real advantage, however, will be in the streamlined approach to the Club from the senior side through to the rookie listed and VFL players.
“It was very exciting I think for the football Club… especially for our young players who get the chance to pull on the Bulldogs jumper every week and play together,” he said.
“Obviously getting coached by our staff, [having] everyone around being affiliated with the one Club is going to be beneficial for them.”
With experience at the helm coaching the North Ballarat Rebels, Maple said he has an all encompassing approach that extends well beyond football.
“I’m not a yeller and a screamer, I’m a teacher and I have a real holistic approach to my coaching – making the player a better footballer but also a better person,” he said.
“One of the main things we are trying to set up here obviously is developing our AFL players but also our VFL listed players and our staff.”
Bringing football back to Victoria University Whitten Oval, Maple said the Footscray Bulldogs will be a great coup for all members and fans and is excited as to what 2014 will bring.
“I think it is fantastic for our supporter base, footy back at Whitten Oval, playing under the Footscray name – it is just going to be really exciting again for all the people to come and support the team,” he said.
