Who is Darren Bartsch

Before: A Football Life

Long before I was helping people build their financial futures, my life was all about the footy field. It was a journey that took me to the brink of the AFL, not once, but five times – a story of near misses, hard knocks, and a love for the game that never faded.

It all started back in my hometown of Loxton, in the South Australian Riverland. After a brief detour into basketball, I was lured back to football at 16, joining a team that went on to have an undefeated season. That taste of success lit a fire in me, and soon I was recruited by West Adelaide in the SANFL.

My time in the SANFL was a whirlwind. I was a Ruckman, and while I wasn't the biggest bloke on the field, I made up for it with a powerful jump and a bit of speed. I even played in a SANFL Grand Final with West Adelaide.

But the AFL was always the dream. And it was a dream that came tantalizingly close.

Over the years, I was drafted by five different AFL clubs: the West Coast Eagles, Geelong, the Adelaide Crows, the Brisbane Bears, and Essendon. Each time, for one reason or another, it just wasn't meant to be. From injuries to business commitments, the stars never quite aligned for me to play a senior AFL game.

My final season was with Port Adelaide in the SANFL, but a back injury at 25 meant it was time to hang up the boots. While my AFL dream might not have come true, my football life taught me a lot about resilience, persistence, and the importance of having a plan B. It was a chapter of my life that I'll never forget, and it set the stage for everything that was to come.

WAFC V PAFC Elimination Final 1991

WAFC V SAFC Preliminary Final 1991

After: A New Field of Play

Retiring from football at 25 wasn't the end of my story; it was the beginning of a new one.

While my days on the footy field were over, the lessons I learned about discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking have stayed with me, shaping my journey as an entrepreneur and, now, as a guide in the world of digital wealth.

My first move after hanging up my boots was to Darwin, where I continued to run the landscaping business I'd started during my playing days.

Ikram Rana - Cofounder Barrana

But I've always been drawn to new challenges and opportunities. I soon found myself fascinated by the emerging world of the internet, and I dove headfirst into technology, teaching myself the ins and outs of web development and software engineering.

This new passion led me to co-found Barrana (With my friend Ikram Rana), a company dedicated to solving business problems with innovative tech solutions.

For over 20 years, I immersed myself in the tech world, building a successful career as a developer and entrepreneur.

Then, another game-changing technology appeared on the horizon: blockchain and cryptocurrency.

I was captivated by the potential of this new frontier and dedicated myself to understanding it from the inside out.

Today, as a Digital Wealth Specialist, I've brought my three decades of business experience and my passion for technology together to help people like you navigate the exciting and often complex world of digital assets.

I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build lasting wealth, and I'm committed to simplifying the process, providing clear, honest guidance, and empowering you to invest with confidence.

My mission is to connect and educate, helping you build a secure financial future for yourself and your family.

Whether you're just starting your investment journey or looking to expand your portfolio, I'm here to provide the support and expertise you need to achieve your goals.

It's a new field of play, but the principles are the same: with the right strategy and a trusted team, anything is possible.