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We see them working the sidelines on a Friday night and putting in the hours to develop our junior Dragons, but what inspires our coaches to do what they do?

We've put that question to them and the responses are rolling in. In this, the third instalment of our Why I Coach series, we caught up with Conor Mathews, Head Coach of the Dragons 14.1 Boys (top row, third from left). This is his story:

"I coach for a few reasons.

I coach for my younger self – what would I have benefited from when I was 12? 16? 21? If I can share even just a little of my knowledge to people who are walking the same path as a player as I once did, great.

"I coach for the "chess match". I love the mental battle of strategies and schemes against opposition teams.

"I coach to help players use basketball as a teaching tool for school, work, relationships, etc.

"I coach to win."

• Conor Mathews is head coach of Camberwell Dragons 14.1 Boys and assistant coach of our Big V Youth League Men's team. He'll lead our 14.1 Boys at the National Junior Classic in Melbourne this weekend.