The common thread weaved through this story is how Mitchell O'Keefe views life, in part, as an opportunity to give back - to help others.
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That's why, at age 27, he has already absorbed a considerable amount of diverse experiences.
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And one of the main recipients of his generosity of spirit is Oxley Vale Attunga.
Player, coach, president: O'Keefe has juggled, or is still juggling, all three roles at the club. He became president this year, and decided there are limits to his magnanimity.
He coached the side in 2019, but after assuming the presidency, he said: "There's no way I'm doing that and coaching again.
"And Tim [Coates] came back from surgery, having a bit of time off, and he put his hand up and we welcomed him back."
It's given him a bit of a reprieve, and I enjoy it - I enjoy helping out a mate.
- Mitchell O'Keefe
"It's pretty good for me personally," O'Keefe said of the current set-up at OVA, "and Tim Coates is doing a wonderful job."
O'Keefe said replacing Chris Fenton as president was the decent thing to do.
"Because he's done so well and he's got more going on in his personal life now."
He added: "It's given him a bit of a reprieve, and I enjoy it.
"I enjoy helping out a mate." Undefeated OVA play South United at Johnson Field on Saturday.
