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“The league also changed so we were put in a higher division, so those imports helped us compete.<\/p>\n
“Going up a division we finished fourth out of 12 or 13 teams, so it was a remarkable second year.”<\/p>\n
The Dragons have been fortunate to have attracted so many, as Prince calls them, “outstanding individuals” as imports over the years.<\/p>\n
He would know as many of them \u2013 he estimates at least half of them \u2013 have ended being his housemates during their stay.<\/p>\n
On the other side of the field, the obvious low point for the Dragons was the COVID era.<\/p>\n
“As a youngish, minority sport club, it can be difficult to retain numbers and get volunteers,” Prince said.<\/p>\n
“Even when you think you are heading in an alright direction, COVID hits and you start from scratch.<\/p>\n
“Whereas most sports had only one year off, we had two.<\/p>\n
“In that time, people’s focus and values changed. A lot of guys wanted to focus more on family \u2026 they’ve already played gridiron and tried it.<\/p>\n
“COVID put commitments into perspective.<\/p>\n
“Our first month of preseason after two years off, we had only nine or 10 guys.<\/p>\n
“It’s been challenging and some would say I’ve given more back than I’ve got out of it, but in the end, that’s what service is.”<\/p>\n
The Dragons wound up the 2025 Gridiron Victoria Division Two season with about 25 players and as runners-up under imported coach Richard Bachand.<\/p>\n
They were beaten 24-6 by Northern Chargers in the season finale in December.<\/p>\n
While it was a disappointing ending to an otherwise positive season, Prince insisted it was one most players would always remember fondly thanks to the influence and dedication of their coach.<\/p>\n
“The commitment Coach Rick, or just Coach as we called him, showed was amazing. He didn’t have a job over here, he was all about football,” Prince said.<\/p>\n
“He definitely brought the leadership and professionalism we wanted with this team.<\/p>\n
“He took things very seriously. His message to the guys was ‘Come see me anytime you want \u2013 I’m available to you 24\/7; we’ll do one-on-ones together, or go to the gym together’.<\/p>\n
“He really tried to build culture and he stuck with it.<\/p>\n
“It was a refreshing change for us and a success.”<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
While Bachand has returned to the United States, where a sports-crazy nation is gearing up for this Monday’s (Australian time) Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, Prince is certain he has left the club in a better place and the future is sound for the Dragons.<\/p>\n
“One thing we have done really well over the years is our school programs,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It would be great if we could get them funded somehow.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been going to the Bendigo schools since we started in 2013 and the program is growing.<\/p>\n
“Every school that has us keeps us on, and one school has us every term because they think it’s amazing.<\/p>\n
“We hope to see the benefits of that program in years to come.<\/p>\n
“We have a few 15 and 16 year-olds playing and are holding their own against grown men.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully our future revolves around that junior program, but it’s slow and small steps.”<\/p>\n
Despite his mayoral commitments, Prince plans to be part of it, including as a player.<\/p>\n
As for the big one this Monday morning, Prince \u2013 a passionate New Orleans Saints fan \u2013 is predicting a 31-10 Seahawks victory over the Patriots.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT IS often said that sport isn’t only about winning \u2013 it has lessons to teach us about life. For Bendigo mayor Thomas Prince, some \u2013 though by no means all \u2013 of the valuable life lessons he has learned have come through his experiences with Bendigo Dragons Gridiron Club. A foundation member of the […]<\/p>\n