“You do feel pretty honoured about it,” Trower said.
“It’s a volunteer job, you’re not looking to win awards for doing something for your club; I’m just proud and I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
Trower went above and beyond for his club and its youth group last season, in what was an extremely challenging year for country football across Victoria.
After the 2020 season was cancelled, Trower said it was challenging getting kids back on the park after a year away from footy.
“We worked pretty hard in pre-season in getting kids back and we got some really good numbers, which sort of kicked on from there,” Trower said.
“We didn’t have too many breaks throughout last season, the kids were really motivated and looking to play some finals footy – and they just love kicking the footy and playing with their mates.”
Part of the work Trower has put in at the club involves a buddy system for junior and senior players, as well as combined training days and games with different playing groups.
Trower has also set up a number of initiatives for kids that gives them more exposure to football at the top level.
Last season, he organised a trip for the juniors to Essendon Football Club, where they had the chance to meet and train with players and coaches at Windy Hill.
“It’s a bit of an opportunity for them to see life as an AFL footballer – how they live, how they train, a lot of our kids don’t get the experience to even go down to Melbourne that often,” Trower said.
“For them they think it’s the best thing ever.
“We try and take them down to the footy in Melbourne on a Sunday, there’s kids that don’t often get to go to Melbourne, they’d hardly ever get the chance to go to an AFL game, in front of that sort of crowd, players, the sort of thing that they only get to see on TV.’’
He is also responsible for setting up a new player initiative at Waaia, which allows new players to receive club gear including socks and jumpers, club membership and registration and one membership for a parent or guardian.
In a big year for Trower, last season he also took out runner-up in the Waaia seniors’ best-and-fairest count, as well as Junior Coach of the Year in Picola District Football League, in which Waaia competes.
On top of his playing commitments, a future in coaching is something that Trower says he’s keeping a close eye on.
“One day I’ll probably decide to have a crack at senior football if given an opportunity, hopefully it’s there and I hope this (award) puts it in good stead.”
