No. It's just another birthday. It's not a milestone year just another one to tick off. I'm just hoping that I will have a decent night’s sleep before the big Tower Hill Challenge which the Koroit Football Netball Club has organised for this Saturday.

What's your role at Koroit?

We moved out to Crossley about eight years ago and the girls got involved in netball.

Tim McNally had been secretary of the club for 18 years and then Dallas Ludeman took over for one year.

I've been the secretary of the club for the past two years and I will do the job again next year.

The Tower Hill Challenge was first staged by the KFNC last year.

The event was a resounding success. We're confident that this Saturday's event will be even bigger and better.

We look like having more than 500 participants which is up on the 2014 numbers.

People can still take part in this year's event by registering online until Friday.

There are a couple of changes from last year's program. We had two sections last year –  the first one was over six kilometres while the other one was over 12 kilometres.

We've kept the 6km one this year but changed the other other one to 15km.

We've listened to what the participants wanted. They also wanted more obstacles to have mud and we've done that.

The club has received great assistance from Parks Victoria and the Moyne Shire to host the event. We think the challenge is a win-win for everyone as it has allowed for some old tracks at Tower Hill which were overgrown with branches to be cleaned up and it also gives local groups the chance to earn extra money as they provide volunteers for the event.

How many obstacles are in the 15 km event?

There's 20 obstacles in the 15km event. The obstacles are the brainchild of the organising committee.

We encourage anyone to take part. We found last year lots of people who were in the 6km walked the course but went over the obstacles and they can do the same this year. The course through Tower Hill offers some amazing scenery.

Steve, what was the main reason why the club came up with the idea of the Tower Hill Challenge?

It's just so tough for small country footy clubs to survive financially.

We had to look at outside revenue markets to keep the club viable. The costs to field footy and netball sides has increased dramatically over the past few years.

We didn't want to hit our generous sponsors for more money so we had to look at outside revenue streams.

It's the same thing with our sports-lovers night during Warrnambool's May race week.

The night has been a big success for us over many years. It generates outside dollars to the club which is a win-win for us and our sponsors.

How many sides does Koroit field on the footy ground and netball courts during the season?

We've got two senior footy sides plus under 14, 16 and 18 and Auskick, while with netball we have three senior netball sides and three junior netball sides.

We may have an extra senior netball side in 2016. I think you'll find we have more than 220 people taking the field for us each weekend during the season.

The numbers grow more when you add in team managers, first-aid officers, trainers and support staff who fill various roles.

I note that your sporting highlight is being involved with Koroit when it won the 2014 premiership. How did you rate the 2015 flag win?

Any premiership win is great but the 2014 was really special as we were the underdogs. Warrnambool was the hot favourite. I don't think anyone gave us a chance of beating Warrnambool.

The win was really satisfying as it was a great reward for all the hard work that coach Adam Dowie and his support staff had put in during the 2014 season.

The 2015 victory was also great, as I said previously any premiership is a reward for all the hard work put in by so many people.

Koroit may be a small community but they are proud of the achievements of the club. We're confident that the club has solid foundations in place for long-term success on the footy ground and netball courts but the club fully understands it's not all about premierships.

A big part of our commitment for the local community is offering people to come and play their chosen sport in a great environment.

Steve, what was your footy background before you took over as secretary at Koroit?

I played junior footy with Merrivale. I played under 18s with Dennington but I gave the game away when I found I was not big enough to take all the tough play which was in the district league in the 1980s. I was only 63 kilograms wringing wet so there was no way that I could cope against bigger, stronger players. I ended up playing golf at Warrnambool on a regular basis. I got my handicap down to 10 before I found I never had much time for golf. I played cricket for a few years but the sport which I've loved for so many years is basketball.

Have you played much basketball?

The funny thing is I've played in the same basketball side with my two mates Dave Colson and Bob Cavarsan for 25 years. We now play in division three on Wednesday nights. I think the three of us have played in eight or nine premiership sides. It's got to the stage now where Bob's son, who is 14 years old, is playing in the side. Dave, Bob and myself might not be able to run as quick or jumps as high as you used to but we still get a real buzz out of playing.