OPEN LETTER FROM WILL CULLEN

I am typing this as I sit on my couch reflecting on what could have been, after our loss in the Grand Final the other night. As I started to type I realised that it’s not about what could have been, but more about what has been achieved. I realised that one loss on Saturday night shouldn’t take away from everything this club has achieved in its first season at the elite level of football in NSW.

Firstly, the match itself. It was one of those games for us that only happened twice this year. We just didn’t have that extra spark needed to win against a team who were fighting for their lives to win. Huge congratulations to Southern Districts on winning the Grand Final and we wish them all the best for next year – a great club with some great players. Losing is never easy, especially when it’s not something you are used to. Only losing twice in 20 games this year, was an incredible achievement for everyone but we need to ensure that we learn and grow from these losses and are able to improve on them for the next season.

For my boys, I’m very proud of how they conducted themselves the other night. We started off slowly and yes, we conceded one sloppy goal and one quality goal but we stuck to our guns. In our recent 2016 application to Football NSW for NPL Men’s 3 and Youth 2, we talked about our footballing philosophy. Every team in Football NSW has to have a philosophy – how do they play, what type of football they encourage, and what type of players they want. Even in the face of defeat last night, we showed our philosophy, from the first minute until the last minute, where we tried to play football. With FNSW officials in the crowd, family and friends, coaches and members from clubs in higher leagues, we showed everyone that we stick to our philosophy. We don’t divert or panic from what we have agreed and worked on. We want to play football all the time and I’m very very proud of the lads for not just doing it in the Grand Final, but for doing that all season and week in week out at training.

Sometimes in moments of defeat you forget about what has got you to that point and the success you have secured along the way. Dunbar Rovers State League First Grade and Under 20s secured the Club Championship in its first year at State League level. Thanks to our small, but dedicated and inspirational Board of Directors (Quintin, Pedro, Matt, Roy, Marco and Peter), the club is run like a professional organisation, delivering us everything on and off the park that we need to be successful. Their philosophy is that “No player should have to pay to play football”, so all funds raised go into covering running costs for the season, but no player gets paid money to play. Our guys play at Dunbar because of their love of the club and their love of the game.

Our Under 20s were a brand new squad that was put together very late in pre-season, and massive credit must go to Mike Dixon for the job he has done this year moulding them into a team and finishing 2nd in the competition. It has been a great learning experience for me as a young coach watching him coach his team. Well done to Mikey and the Under 20s.

Thanks to all the families and friends, both near and afar, who have supported us on this unreal journey. From coming out week after to week to watch or following us closely on Facebook and Twitter in different time zones around the World, your support is much appreciated.

Thanks also to all of our sponsors this year for helping us get to this level and supporting us each week. We look forward to your support in the coming seasons, hopefully in NPL3.

Lastly, a massive, massive “Thank You” to my squad of players and my Assistants Jonathan Smith and James Keen, as well as physios Theo and Oscar. One of my favourite quotes is “if it was easy, then everybody would do it”. Succeeding in anything is hard. People don’t see the hard work or the sacrifices that happen behind the scenes. All the players and coaches have worked so hard this year and have sacrificed so much to ensure we were successful. Winning the League title and the Club Championship in our first year is unreal for everyone involved at Dunbar Rovers, but personally, for me to do it with a squad who I also call my mates is just as important. I’ve known the nucleus of the squad since I first came to Dunbar and we have all become good friends on and off the pitch. To achieve what we did with the special group that we have, I’m very proud of that.

We have one more illustrious game to go this year when we take on Sydney FC (NYL) at Hensley Athletic Field on 28th of September. This game is for Dunbar coaching legend Charlie Davidson, so please come along and show your support for one of our own.

Thank you again to everyone involved in running Dunbar Rovers, both squads, coaches, sponsors, family and friends. It’s time to relax, reset and enjoy a well-earned break to be fresh for the new challenges that await us.

Regards

WILL CULLEN
First Grade Head Coach
Dunbar Rovers FC State League