Coleman, who was an integral part of this season’s campaign by the Eagles, which saw the team lose the grand final by one point, has not coached at the first grade level previously, but he has a wealth of experience in rugby league.

A Kempsey junior, Coleman represented Group 2 in a number of age groups, before going on to play first grade for the Macleay Valley Mustangs while still an Under-18 and captaining the Country Under-18s in 1997.

A member of the Canterbury Jersey Flegg side from 1998-2000, Coleman was on the bench for two grand finals in this competition under the Bulldogs’ current first grade coach, Kevin Moore.

From there Coleman went on to win a premiership with Lakes United in the Newcastle Competition under a name familiar to many in Group 2, Rip Taylor.

Before joining the Eagles last season Coleman also had stints with St Pats in Bathurst under a rising star of coaching and fellow Kempsey Junior Kurt Hancock, before returning to the Newcastle comp with Souths.

Hancock impressed all judges who watched him play last year, quickly being selected for the Group 2 senior squad after only two trial games and earned many credits for his fitness and his non-stop work rate.

Along with Coleman the Eagles have reappointed Chris McDonald to lead the Eagles’ Under-18s for the coming season. McDonald, who has won a first grade and Under-18s premiership as coach with the Eagles, has taken the last two Under-18 squads to the semis and is hoping to improve these outcomes in the coming season.

The Eagles 2010 campaign begins in earnest next Tuesday, November 8 when training begins at 6pm at Allan Gillett Oval. Any past players, or anyone interested in signing with the Eagles for next year, is more than welcome to attend.

At the same time the Eagles would like to hear from anyone interested in being involved as a trainer or water person next season. If you have no qualifications as yet the club will organise this for you.