The Black Sticks assistant coach certainly would not call his role a marginal pass - that is for sure. He is embracing the opportunity to lead the team during the women's international tri-series which gets under way in Cromwell on Saturday.
But with five players missing from the squad which won gold at the Commonwealth Games last month, including the captain, he certainly has a challenge ahead.
The 43-year-old has been given carte blanche to shape the team as he sees fit.
He is taking over from regular head coach Mark Hager for the nine day long tournament and is determined the side does not go backwards on his watch.
It is also important the team builds on the momentum it gained from the Commonwealth Games.
But opponents Australia and Japan will be equally keen to put in some good performances with the World Cup just a couple of months away. Australia will be smarting from its 4-1 loss in the Commonwealth Games final as well.
''To me it is a good challenge and I'm really excited about the opportunity,'' Dancer said.
''It is about trying to grow the players underneath and develop leadership.''
Key defenders Stacey Michelsen, Sam Charlton and Liz Thompson will miss the series, as well as striker Amy Robinson and Pippa Hayward, who retired following the Games.
In Michelsen's absence, experienced defender Ella Gunson will captain the team and will have her hands full marshalling the defence.
The missing defensive trio have amassed more than 560 caps for their country and that will present a massive challenge.
''Steph Dickins and Kim Tanner will come into defensive roles and it is a good opportunity for them to show what they can do.
''Steph has not had a lot of international hockey over the last period, so it is a very good opportunity for her to help us out and improve.
''Part of giving Ella the captaincy is that she is a key defender for us and part of her role will be to organise and get people on the right page.''
Dancer grew up in Australia, where he played all his junior hockey. The defender went on to play in the Australian Hockey League and for his country at under-21 level.
He ended up playing and coaching in Belgium for seven seasons for the Heracles club in Antwerp.
''It was the first time I started to think about coaching professionally. It was just part of the role. You would play for the club and do your coaching on the side and I started to really enjoy it.''
He made the decision to put more time and effort into it and in 2009 accepted a high performance role with the Wellington Hockey Association.
Dancer also did some work with the Black Sticks men during that period and in 2014 joined the Black Sticks women as assistant coach under Hager.
The Australian pair arguably brought a harder edge to the team, although Dancer would argue the will to win was already there. But he did note New Zealanders tended to be more laid back, particularly off the field.
''We've certainly got a competitive group. Every time we are on the field we are 100% committed and determined to try and win.
''So I think it is a more off the field attitude than an on the field one.
''That's why the Cromwell series is really interesting because, without our senior players there, it would be quite easy to have a few excuses and rest on our laurels from the Com Games.
''But, in the end, if we want to win pinnacle events, we have to find ways of winning with or without certain players.''
The Black Sticks open their campaign against Japan on Saturday at 4.30pm.
