For much of Peter Gibbs' professional life he has focused on the values of leadership and responsibility.
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It's the same type of things he's using now as the assistant coach at the Macquarie Raiders.
Gibbs, who spent time with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters during his own playing career, has returned to the sport to take on a role under the Group 11 side's captain-coach Alex Ronayne.
Gibbs, 54, is Ronayne's uncle and someone who has dedicated much of his life to the Indigenous Police Recruiting Our Way (IPROWD) program and working with the Aboriginal community on a whole.
IPROWD aims to help Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people to get the skills and confidence needed for a career in the police force, but the values and attributes taught there have impacted on the everyday life of many across the state.
He's now teaching those same things at the Raiders while also ensuring the club is fit and firing ahead of the 2020 season.
"There's a great crossover," he said of coming back to rugby league.
"It's about leadership, taking responsibility, and giving people opportunities.
"A lot of the young fellas I've seen at training are ones I've met through my professional life and now we're all part of the club and it's a family so it's about building the camaraderie and building the respect."
The first opportunity to see the benefit of Gibbs' work will come on Friday night when the Raiders meet the South City Bulls in the opening round of the West Wyalong Knockout.
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The pre-season carnival will see the new-look Raiders get a first chance on the park and Gibbs is eager to see what is produced, especially by some of the club's younger players.
"I'm not going to name names but there's a couple of young blokes who are making the transition [into seniors] and that's what I love to see," he said.
"Some have put their hand up in pre-season and I'm excited to see them in their first game and for them to demonstrate to Alex that they're ready to contest for a spot."
Gibbs has been driving the pre-season sessions at Macquarie, with the major focus on fitness as well as attitude.
I'm not claiming we're going to win the grand final but that's what you want to do.
- Peter Gibbs
The ball has barely been touched in the build-up to West Wyalong and that's just the way Ronayne and Gibbs have wanted it.
Gibbs has spent much of his time in recent years around soccer, where his son played, but said he was always eager to get back into rugby league and the running of a side.
"It's been a full club focus. They've been into the fitness and there's been no excuses," he said.
"Everyone wants to grab the footy but it's being slowly introduced because this time of year it's about building a good foundation and you can't do that without fitness.
"I'm not claiming we're going to win the grand final but that's what you want to do. No-one plays to make up the numbers and you've got to be fit, fast, and tough and that's what Alex wants me to develop."
Gibbbs has been hugely impressed by his nephew, with the new captain-coach regularly leading the way and being the first to finish the drills.
"I've known him since he was a baby and he's a natural leader," Gibbs said.
"He's a good leader of men."
The Raiders meet Group 9's South City Bulls from 9.10pm on Friday night.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
