Thanks to the efforts of a new coach, Kyneton will return next season.

 Since Mark Adamson was appointed Kyneton's coach last month, he has spent countless hours contacting players he hopes will join his drive to bring the Tigers back from the wilderness. Some of the responses have been positive, some have been negative and some have been downright humorous.

When one player failed to answer Adamson's call, he sent a text message saying he had taken on the job at Kyneton and wanted to make contact. The reply was a disbelieving wisecrack. ''He thought one of his mates was having him on,'' Adamson recalled. ''He didn't believe I was who I said I was, and he didn't believe I was doing what I said I was doing.''

Adamson was unfazed by that reaction, as he knows that people's perceptions of Kyneton are tied to its troubled recent history. The Tigers' senior team last made the finals in 2003, and it won just eight games between 2008 and 2012. The player shortage became so grim six months ago that the club is not even fielding a senior side in the Bendigo league.

But Adamson's appointment as coach for the 2014-15 seasons marks another important milestone in the club's push to restore its standing and ensure it has a long-term future.

It comes on the back of a recent transition at board level that saw Channel Ten sports reporter Rob Waters, who moved to Kyneton in late 2011, take over the presidency. Since Waters and his new board started work, the Tigers have published a business plan, signed a five-year sponsorship deal with local property developer Bluestone Rise and have received pledges of support from other prominent businesses, including Hardwick's Meatworks.

Kyneton is also aiming to appoint a paid general manager, who will oversee the day-to-day administration.

''Mark coming on board has really legitimised our whole push to have a senior team,'' Waters said. ''He has made it real.''

A highly rated player in his younger days, Adamson, whose father Lee played 96 games for Collingwood between 1966-73, has brought an impressive footballing resume to Kyneton.

The 38-year-old previously coached Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league, took Golden Square to a Bendigo league flag in 2009, and spent some time on the coaching panel at Northern league club Montmorency, which is where his career began. In addition, he has worked with Bendigo's TAC Cup team and was an assistant to Aussie Jones at VFL club Bendigo Gold before joining the Tigers.

''He's a great communicator and very articulate,'' Waters said. ''He's been successful, and he has great networks in a number of leagues, which is really important.''
And by taking on the job, Adamson has shown that he's not scared of hard work.

''I love coaching and being involved in local footy clubs,'' he said. ''It's obviously going to be a massive job, but it's just something that really engaged my hunger to coach in local footy.

''I guess it's a bit about trying to do something that everyone is telling can't be done. People are saying that Kyneton can't be successful again. But I thought that I wanted to set myself a task, so I've jumped at the opportunity.''

Adamson has taken on an enormous workload, yet that suits him fine, for he is someone who likes to have plenty on his plate.

His full-time job as a regional manager with federal government organisation CRS Australia has him often travelling long distances, while his life at home is just as hectic.

Along with having four children of their own, he and his wife, who has indigenous heritage, also care for three indigenous girls between the ages of two and five.
''As the old saying goes, 'Give busy people stuff to do','' Adamson quipped.

Unlike in the past, the Tigers are adamant they are not interested in recruiting mercenaries, so they are keen to bring as many former players back to Kyneton as possible. The club is also committed to promoting talented local youngsters when its senior side returns next year.

But there is no avoiding the fact that many new players are needed, and Adamson hopes to have 20 signed up by Christmas.

''For the Kyneton footy club to again be a key part of the community, we need to be successful,'' Adamson said.
''Next year is not about making up the numbers. You never always approach a footy season aiming to play finals, and it will be no different for us next year.''

By Adam McNicol

Article first appeared The Sunday Age, August 4 2013