MICHAEL Pollock knows the path to success is long.
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The Port Fairy under 14 football mentor, who has senior coaching experience with Warrnambool and South Warrnambool, believes the Seagulls can take inspiration from Hampden league rival Koroit.
"Everyone looks at Koroit because they've won five (senior premierships) in a row but realistically it started probably 20 years ago, developing and pushing kids and being strong on their ethics around the place, both socially and in a football sense," he said.
Pollock and under 16 coach Sandy Robinson are hoping to influence the next generation of Seagulls.
They've got adequate numbers for the upcoming season but would welcome newcomers with open arms.
Robinson, one of the competition's leading senior ruckmen, understands how important the football-netball club is to the seaside community.
"One club, one town, we want them not just for the footy but to be around the town, around the community because it means everything, the footy club," he said.
"Everyone is welcome. We love seeing new faces. It's not just for this year ahead, it's for the years to come.
"Not just the players but it might be families being a lot more involved around the club and off the field."
Pollock conceded recruitment was an obstacle.
"We're in the environment where 180 degrees is the ocean, so it's pretty hard to recruit from there and we don't have a secondary school which makes it difficult," he said.
"We just hope everyone in the community stays in the community and sees what we're trying to create and develop moving forward.
"We're just starting but when you've got guys like Sandy who have extensive careers wanting to invest back in I think it's absolutely wonderful."
Robinson said working with teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, was rewarding.
"The kids we've got this year are rippers and they're our future," he said.
"I would've hung up the boots. They're the guys who will end up taking our spots in the senior side. It's a good age… you can really have a good effect on them."
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