And it's for that reason the club recently awarded former player, president and coach Greg Reid life membership.

Little did Reid know that when came across to the world of rugby union in the 90s that he'd forge such a strong connection with the Bathurst club, staying on as a valued committee member for over two decades.

Reid won a premiership with third grade in 1999, would become the first back to win the Harold Weal Memorial Trophy the following year and would go on to claim a premiership with first grade in their 2005 triumph.

He would claim another third grade crown in 2015, playing a total of 139 games for the club - 85 of them for first grade.

Reid's big contributions continued off the field as he coached colts to a 2017 premiership and spent the next three seasons as club president, handing that role over this year to Phil Newton.

Bulldogs claimed club championships under his tenure in 2018 and 2019.

Reid couldn't express his gratitude enough in being given the life membership honour.

"I'm honoured and humbled. The club's been around since 1874 and they don't hand these out lightly. I'm chuffed to be acknowledged in that way," he said.

"I've developed a deep affection for the club early on. I joined in 1996 after playing quite a few years for St Pat's rugby league, which I enjoyed as well, and I joined the committee early on in my time there."

One of Reid's main philosophies throughout his time at the Bulldogs has been focusing on the mental wellbeing of players.

He launched 'Blue Elephant' mental health program to help support players across all grades and give people a chance to express their problems openly with one another.

"I was president for the last three years and vice-president for three years before that. I've had a strong affiliation with the club and the people in it and its culture. It's a club where people have a sense of belonging and I think it's more than just a football club," he said.

"Meeting younger people and looking after their mental health has been a highlight. The club provides them with a structure where they become great human beings and they want to contribute back to the club."

Reid's other off-field achievements include overseeing the merger of the Bulldogs junior and senior clubs, helping to form the Bulldogs Old Boys, rebuilding the club's sponsorship model and leading the push for a new scoreboard and new lighting.

A combined statement from current life members John Maynard and Brian Roberson spoke glowingly of Reid's commitment to the Bulldogs.

"Greg has a large capacity for work, humour, humility and his leadership and honesty is to be admired," they said.

"He has been a passionate advocate for the positive, inclusive and supportive culture that we continue to nurture and he displays a high level of dignity in his actions and is entrenched in the social fabric of our club community. He is also someone that we are very fortunate to call a friend."

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