Former Hawks champ Gary Buckenara appointed new GM of Frankston Dolphins Football Club
FORMER Hawthorn champion and Sydney Swans coach Gary Buckenara has been appointed general manager of the Frankston Dolphins Football Club.
South East
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FORMER Hawthorn champion and Sydney Swans coach Gary Buckenara has been appointed general manager of the Frankston Dolphins Football Club.
Club spokesman Peter Geddes said Buckenara’s appointment provided a cornerstone for the renewal of the Dolphins.
“Gary was an outstanding Hawthorn player winning four premierships, he was an AFL coach at Sydney Swans and has spent the last 15 years in coaching, recruiting, talent list and management roles at Hawthorn and North Ballarat football clubs,” he said.
“We are fortunate that he has chosen Frankston Dolphins as his new home.”
Mr Geddes said the Dolphins general manager position had not been advertised.
“We realised he was available and we head hunted him.’’
Buckenara, who lives on the Mornington Peninsula, will take up the position today.
He told the Leader the Dolphins — booted out of the VFL last after AFL Victoria said its $1.5 million debt was too significant to ignore — could be revived for the 2018 season.
Buckenara said club officials were diligently working through AFL Victoria conditions that would enable the Dolphins to be rebooted.
“All in all, I think a lot of the stipulations that AFL Victoria want to see (ticked off) to get the (VFL) licence back for 2018 are well underway,” he said.
Asked if the club could realistically be revived for the 2018 season, Buckenara said: “It’s not about saving the Dolphins, it’s about re-energising them.”
He said it was essential the area had a VFL team to provide a pathway for up and coming footballers.
Buckenara said events would be held this year to raise both money and awareness for the club.
He said it was essential supporters bought memberships.
“Once we get the tick of approval (from AFL Victoria) the hard work starts — that’s to build a team.’’
For details, visit frankstonfc.com.au