{xtypo_dropcap}T{/xtypo_dropcap}he story of Barry Kimberley is one of persistence, belief in one's ability, and a will to succeed which eventually transposed into a Simpson Medal winner, with the qualities acquired in the process attributing to his success as a coach. 

Good rovers were plentiful in the early to mid eighties, with the Krakouers, Duperouzel, Spencer, Fong, Carter, Shaw, Taylor and Mitchell all playing State football in those years, but none were more hardworking than Kimberley.

Barry Kimberley was a player who had to work hard throughout his career. Initially an in and under bullocking type of rover, he later developed into a high possession playmaker. That he was able to adjust his game to adapt to different roles in his career was testiment to the man's dedication in achieving the most out of his ability.

A Queens Park junior, Kimberley was always a rover, and won the junior association fairest and best before playing with Perth's colts in 1975. Graduating to the reserves in 1977, he received his first setback when told by Perth that he wasn't required. “Perth had a few rovers running around in Wiley, Mitsopoulis, Doyle, and Chidlow at the time, and I was seen as surplus,” he said.

A  good year at Canning under Ron Wilcox gave Kimberley the impetus to give Lathlain another try, and he was selected for the first game of the 1979 season, in which he fronted Noel Carter, of South Fremantle, and became a regular in 1980. After the arrival of Alan Joyce, Perth struggled over the next two seasons, with Barry taking his game tally to seventy eight, and in the process collecting eighty three goals.

At the end of the 1982 season Perth recruited Swan Districts players Ross Fitzgerald and Glen O'Rourke. “I had the feeling I was in the sights as trade bait, and to tell the truth needed a change,” said Barry. “ The opportunity to go to the reigning premiers was an attraction, so off to Bassendean I went.”

After early lapses mainly due to confidence, Kimberley settled down and began to enjoy his football. “Toddy was a great coach. I felt good about everything at Swans, and my football improved accordingly,” he commented. After a couple of reserves games, Kimberley became a regular in the league side, as the black and whites drove toward a double premiership.

{xtypo_quote_left}The opportunity to go to the reigning premiers was an attraction, so off to Bassendean I went.{/xtypo_quote_left}

“My style of football changed, and I became a ball carrier rather than in and under ball getter,” he said. Barry's game evolved into a high possession midfielder, and he became a damaging player from the clearances for the black and whites.

Swan Districts completed the hat trick in 1984, and how sweet it was for the rover from Queens Park. The Perth coaching staff must have been looking at each other as Kimberley became an inspiration, winning a Simpson Medal as well as a premiership medallion, and topped it off when runner up to Keith Narkle for Swans fairest and best.  

A late inclusion in the State squad in 1985, but cut at final selection, Kimberley continued to play well as his side's fortunes waned. After a bottom finish in 1986, he announced his retirement from league football, after eighty two games with Swans and seventy eight at Perth.   “I had achieved everything I set out to do,” he said. “I was twenty nine years of age, and, at the time had had enough.”

After half a season off in 1987, Barry joined East Fremantle player, David Hollins, at Harvey-Brunswick, before an advertisement sparked his interest and was to kick off a whole new career for Kimberley.  “I hadn't really considered coaching,” he recalled, “but when I saw the ad from Geraldton in which Towns were looking for a coach, something clicked. I wanted to be near the coast, and, although a long way away, it looked a nice opportunity.”

Runners up in his first season at the helm, Towns were also bridesmaids in 1991 and 1992, before going one better the following year. After reaching the first semi final in 1993, Kimberley had a rest from the game for three years.

Barry returned to football in 1998, as assistant coach of Towns, and took over the senior job in 1999, with a premiership resulting the following year. Leaving after two years for another two years spell, he was back into the fray at Railways in 2004. Taking on a club that had lost a lot of players, he took them to fifth in the first year.  

Kimberley's name was mentioned in regard to a coaching position in the WAFL a couple of seasons ago, but Barry had no idea where the rumours came from. “I knew nothing, was never approached, and didn't approach anyone,” he said. Chatting to the man, we have serious doubts about the chances of anyone prising him away from the Coral Coast. “Cathy, the kids and I all love it up here,” he enthused. “We've got the fishing boat and the craypots, there's nowhere else we'd rather be.” 

Tony Buhagiar, Les Fong, Noel Carter, and the Krakouers were players Barry had a lot of time for as opponents, while he couldn't split Leon Baker and Phil Narkle as best he played with.    

He nominated the antics of former Perth rover Johnny Doyle as the funniest things he'd encountered in football. “John was the practical joker of the club,” he said. “One of his many pranks was the day he hid in Doug Farrant's locker. Doug was known to be sometimes not fully awake pre game on a Saturday, and as he  opened the locker, out leapt John. The look on Doug's face was priceless.”

A brick paver, Barry Kimberley is kept busy, but he finds time for fishing when football commitments allow.

Barry Kimberley is contented with his achievements in the game. He worked hard at his game, his fitness, and got the most out of himself. That he overcame a rejection and a trade to become a Simpson Medallist in a premiership win and eventually a long serving and respected coach was a tribute to his dedication and is a lesson for young players.