Geez Matty if you wanna make a good impression on me so that you can take my daughter out - you are going in the right direction!!!
Seriously - thanks for your kind words - I have had plenty of the other kind in my time.
For Pandora
"What about him? What had he done before he got great teams at Sturt."
My first year of having this program we finished 6th, we had poor basic skills and lacked good vision and planning. Players had left the club because of poor service from coaches. I have had great teams over the last 3 years but I would like to think that on top of the outstanding work of the Under 10 coaches in Graham Burdon and Andy Osborn that the young ladies have actually been taught a thing or two by myself and my outstanding team of Anna Chapple, Reagan Pitt & (the tremendously under-rated)Peter Rault.
In terms of being nice to refs I will not say that I am a saint - it is easy to forgive errors when you are 30 or 40 points up. It is a great opportunity to let refs learn and enjoy the environment of a Friday night.
As for professionalism I think many coaches do that much better than myself - John Gillies, Jeff Fulwood, Scott Butler to name a few I have had contact with over time. The chance to work closely with Scott and Paul has given me some different perspectives on coaching and players - the results were obvious on the weekend when we beat the Eagles girls having lost to them 2 weeks beforehand - the opportunity to bounce ideas and game plans with these people is a tremendous advantage.
I must reiterate that success at Sturt is not due to the "poaching" demon, the "recruiting" demon or any other fable. There is a culture of expectation and support that allows coaches and players to develop to their potential. Not all players or coaches choose to use that to their advantage nor does it suit everyone but it is worth examining and taking what you need/want.
It is not my aim to belittle 'pandora' nor anyone else, and frankly the only people I am concerned about pleasing are the kids & parents, the club and myself. Reputations count for little on many occasions and are easily tarnished by mistruths and innuendo.
In answer to the original question what is it that seperates Sturt? It is all the things I have mentioned and experienced there - it is a great place to learn - for everyone.