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*I AM handing over the column this week to a young man who I consider to
be one of the finest captains of any sport anywhere in the world.*
The Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk made this speech at the club's
annual guernsey presentation in Sydney last Monday night. He was
welcoming the new draft picks and rookies to the Swans family:
"Swans. Graceful and dignified, their style has inspired artists for
centuries. They travel in large flocks and they trust each other.
Swans are excellent swimmers and strong fliers. They are friendly but
have a passion for the defence of their territory. Swans protect their
family fiercely.
Many indigenous cultures' beliefs are strong on animal symbols. These
symbols are referred to as "totem animals" or "power animals". They are
within you, you share a connection with them. Specific lessons come
through them to you. It is lessons learned, it is guidance, spirituality
and finding your path.
According to Native American tradition, it is not about choosing a
symbol totem animals ? it is more about being chosen.
Congratulations on being chosen to be a member of the Sydney Swans
football team.
Now the hard work begins, so on behalf of my blood brothers, I would
like to let you in on some things about OUR culture.
The Sydney Swans culture is the accumulation of many individuals
including the players, the coaches, the fitness staff, the
administration, the medical team, the trainers, the IT teams, the board,
our fans and supporters and the people that run the water on match day.
Our football club is a professional community and we have developed a
consensus about what is important. It's about the group's expectations,
not just an individual's expectations.
It's the way everyone goes about their business.
The Sydney Swans culture is never beyond your control. YOU choose to
help define it. You have to live it, believe it, participate and make it
internalised. At the Swans, we have established a secret society, a
group who are continuously communicating a clear and compelling rationale.
This secret society works to create and maintain a footballing
environment marked by loyalty, trust, accountability and open
communication. Players are inspired to work hard, produce their best
always and play their part.
We have moulded a club with high expectations.
The expectations are clear so every player knows what it required of
them. There is no place for mediocrity and no room for passengers. Egos
should be left at the door, or dig a hole and bury them. There are no
egos at the Sydney Swans Football Club.
Honesty is a major vertebra that makes up our backbone. Work to be
respected ? it is more important to be respected than liked. At the
Swans we want a group of respected footballers, where peers look upon us
as role models ? and when they look they find strong examples of what is
expected at OUR club and on the football field.
Remember, respect is not a right. Nor can it be demanded. It has to be
earned. It is challenging and hard-hitting at times, but it works.
AFL is a hard gig but it's a fortunate life. You have been given an
opportunity of a lifetime. There are thousands of people out there who
would love to be where you are right now.
Ability is what you're capable of doing, motivation determines what you
do and attitude determines how well you do it.
You will experience ups, downs, challenges, speed bumps, success,
sacrifice and adversity along the way but in our culture, here in our
family, we will stand beside you and support you in any way we can.
I am not going to make any pie-crust promises or fantastic predictions
that this year we will drink from the holy grail again ? but come
Saturday I can guarantee you this.
A disciplined team will take the field and we will compete in a hard
contested brand of footy where everyone knows their roles and carries it
out for the good of the team. There will be self-belief and trust and
EVERYONE is accountable. We will acknowledge our fans and sing our song
loud and proud.
Cheer, cheer, the red and the white."
That is a speech which could quite justifiably be made in any sports
arena in the world and be met with an ovation similar to the one Brett
Kirk received at the annual presentation dinner.
Daily Telegraph
March 2007
be one of the finest captains of any sport anywhere in the world.*
The Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk made this speech at the club's
annual guernsey presentation in Sydney last Monday night. He was
welcoming the new draft picks and rookies to the Swans family:
"Swans. Graceful and dignified, their style has inspired artists for
centuries. They travel in large flocks and they trust each other.
Swans are excellent swimmers and strong fliers. They are friendly but
have a passion for the defence of their territory. Swans protect their
family fiercely.
Many indigenous cultures' beliefs are strong on animal symbols. These
symbols are referred to as "totem animals" or "power animals". They are
within you, you share a connection with them. Specific lessons come
through them to you. It is lessons learned, it is guidance, spirituality
and finding your path.
According to Native American tradition, it is not about choosing a
symbol totem animals ? it is more about being chosen.
Congratulations on being chosen to be a member of the Sydney Swans
football team.
Now the hard work begins, so on behalf of my blood brothers, I would
like to let you in on some things about OUR culture.
The Sydney Swans culture is the accumulation of many individuals
including the players, the coaches, the fitness staff, the
administration, the medical team, the trainers, the IT teams, the board,
our fans and supporters and the people that run the water on match day.
Our football club is a professional community and we have developed a
consensus about what is important. It's about the group's expectations,
not just an individual's expectations.
It's the way everyone goes about their business.
The Sydney Swans culture is never beyond your control. YOU choose to
help define it. You have to live it, believe it, participate and make it
internalised. At the Swans, we have established a secret society, a
group who are continuously communicating a clear and compelling rationale.
This secret society works to create and maintain a footballing
environment marked by loyalty, trust, accountability and open
communication. Players are inspired to work hard, produce their best
always and play their part.
We have moulded a club with high expectations.
The expectations are clear so every player knows what it required of
them. There is no place for mediocrity and no room for passengers. Egos
should be left at the door, or dig a hole and bury them. There are no
egos at the Sydney Swans Football Club.
Honesty is a major vertebra that makes up our backbone. Work to be
respected ? it is more important to be respected than liked. At the
Swans we want a group of respected footballers, where peers look upon us
as role models ? and when they look they find strong examples of what is
expected at OUR club and on the football field.
Remember, respect is not a right. Nor can it be demanded. It has to be
earned. It is challenging and hard-hitting at times, but it works.
AFL is a hard gig but it's a fortunate life. You have been given an
opportunity of a lifetime. There are thousands of people out there who
would love to be where you are right now.
Ability is what you're capable of doing, motivation determines what you
do and attitude determines how well you do it.
You will experience ups, downs, challenges, speed bumps, success,
sacrifice and adversity along the way but in our culture, here in our
family, we will stand beside you and support you in any way we can.
I am not going to make any pie-crust promises or fantastic predictions
that this year we will drink from the holy grail again ? but come
Saturday I can guarantee you this.
A disciplined team will take the field and we will compete in a hard
contested brand of footy where everyone knows their roles and carries it
out for the good of the team. There will be self-belief and trust and
EVERYONE is accountable. We will acknowledge our fans and sing our song
loud and proud.
Cheer, cheer, the red and the white."
That is a speech which could quite justifiably be made in any sports
arena in the world and be met with an ovation similar to the one Brett
Kirk received at the annual presentation dinner.
Daily Telegraph
March 2007
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