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Thread: Kirky's Guernsey Presentation Speech as reported by Rebecca Wilson

  1. #1
    Proud Tragic Swan Primmy's Avatar
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    Kirky's Guernsey Presentation Speech as reported by Rebecca Wilson

    *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
    Last edited by Primmy; 30th November 2009 at 02:30 PM. Reason: cant spell
    If you've never jumped from one couch to the other to save yourself from lava then you didn't have a childhood

  2. #2
    RWOs Black Sheep AnnieH's Avatar
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    Fanks Primmy.

    What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.
    Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
    Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.

  3. #3
    Senior Player Bloody Hell's Avatar
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    Champion.

    Certainly puts Halls comments earlier last week into perspective.

    He is the stand alone Captain...and a great one at that.
    The eternal connundrum "what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object" was finally solved when David Hasselhoff punched himself in the face.

  4. #4
    pr. dim-melb; m not f
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    Indeed thanks Primmy.
    Stirring and challenging stuff. And wise words: not just a matter of "Fit in" but a strong emphasis on their part in making the culture. Long may it continue.
    He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)

  5. #5
    These words embody the the Swans of today - expectations high of every match up, every game, every player - Every supporter !!

  6. #6
    Secret Society - WTF
    He had observed that people who did lie were, on the whole, more resourceful and ambitious and successful than people who did not lie.

  7. #7
    pr. dim-melb; m not f
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    Quote Originally Posted by Legs Akimbo View Post
    Secret Society - WTF
    A secret we're all in on by now!
    He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)

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    RWO Life Member ROK Lobster's Avatar
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    I'm sorry. That stuff is a bit naff and just makes me giggle (as it did the first time it was posted up here).

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    On the Rookie List Jewels's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ROK Lobster View Post
    I'm sorry. That stuff is a bit naff and just makes me giggle (as it did the first time it was posted up here).
    How boring it would be if we all look looked at things the same way!
    What is naff to you is (by the comments both here and by Rebecca Wilson) highly motivational and inspiring to others!

  10. #10
    One Man Out ShockOfHair's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ROK Lobster View Post
    I'm sorry. That stuff is a bit naff and just makes me giggle (as it did the first time it was posted up here).
    Compared to most footy club speeches, it's the Gettysburg Address. Though not as good as HG Nelson's three-quarter time spray.
    The man who laughs has not yet heard the terrible news

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    Quote Originally Posted by ROK Lobster View Post
    I'm sorry. That stuff is a bit naff and just makes me giggle (as it did the first time it was posted up here).

    if this stuff makes you giggle , go play with your barbie dolls ,
    i

  12. #12
    Senior Player Rod_'s Avatar
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    Thanks for sharing this with us. I enjoyed the read.

    Cheers

    Rod

    PS it is the off season and if your bored now just wait till late January...

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