THE Nambucca Roosters have announced their coaches for the 2019 season. Sy Wilson is in charge of the ladies league tag team, Caryl Jarrett is coaching the reserve grade team, while Darren Campbell has taken over the 1st grade.
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The club has had more than a few troubles the last couple of years, but 2019 is a new year, and with a new year comes new opportunity. Scott Cosstick is back as the head of the club after requests for his return late last year.
The newly reappointed president has wasted no time in getting the club ready for the year ahead.
“We are starting a week or so early, and numbers are already trickling in. We are expecting more after the holidays as well; everyone is still in holiday mode at the moment. It's warm too, a lot of the boys will wait until it’s a bit cooler before coming down,” Mr Cosstick said.
“This year we are looking to take the club forward with a balance of old and new, we are hoping to get into some of the old school team bonding, which will include team trips away, and ex-players coming back. There hasn't been a team trip away in a long time; last one was probably about ten years ago.”
Returning championship reserves coach Caryl Jarrett had a fairy tale finish to last year, not only was she the first female reserve coach ever appointed, she took her team to victory in what is easily the highlight of 2018 for the club.
“It was like a fairy-tale, one I'll cherish for the rest of my life; I’m still on cloud 9. I can’t get the smile off my face,” she said about last year.
With a variety of factors affecting the 1st-grade last year, the mighty Rooster reggies stepped up again and again to fill the void, sometimes playing two games a week across two grades. After making the semi by only 1 point, the fifth-placed Roosters vanquished team after team in their finals run, eventually going on to win the whole competition.
“Some of the boys were backing up two matches, we had that core group each week, and any extras were a bonus. That match fitness served us well. After we won, the boys looked fresh; they could have kept playing for another 10-15 mins at least,” Ms Jarrett said.
“The ability was there; the team could have done anything, I knew how talented the boys were, I've watched most of them play since they were kids, the amount of talent in the side was just amazing.”
At the end of last year, the winning team made a pact, one that Ms Jarrett has honoured.
“I made a promise with the boys, I said I’ll be back if they come back, I’m here to keep my promise,” she said.
“Hopefully this club gets back up, everybody is welcome to come back and play, new and old.”
Taking over coaching for the ladies league tag team is Sy Wilson. Ms Wilson has played for many years and is now looking to bring her expertise to her first coaching job.
“I started playing touch football at a young age, and never really thought about coaching. When the opportunity came up, I thought why not, I'll give it a crack,” Ms Wilson said.
While she hadn't completely worked out her plans for the year, she did give a little insight into what she has planned for first few training sessions.
At the moment I'm going to begin with fitness, and discipline, then move onto ball skills. I’m keen for this year, and looking forward to the future.
- Sy Wilson
“At the moment I'm starting with fitness, and discipline, then move onto ball skills. I’m keen for this year, and looking forward to the future,” she said.
“I’m also planning to get out in the community, ask ex-players face to face and see if they want to play again this year.”
“People can come down and get fit, learn some good skills. We have a few mums in the team already, they're keen to play, having kids isn't an excuse not to play.”
While Ms Wilson hasn't got any grand designs on the finals yet, she is hopeful that her team will make it to the big game.
“This is our first training session, so we are not going to get ahead of ourselves, but we are hoping to get to the grand final. I also want to see how far the players can go, how good they can get,” she said.
Coaching the first grade this year is Darren Campbell. A few years ago he coached the 18s side for Nambucca, and aside from a previous stint at Nambucca, Mr Campbell has a lot of experience to draw upon.
Anybody can come down and play. If anybody wants to come for a run and see what you’ve got, they are welcome to, I’ll get them fit, and get them playing well.
- Darren Campbell
“I’ve been coaching around the place for a few years, I was coaching up at Sawtell last year, but Scott asked me to come and coach the 1st-grade this year.”
While Mr Campbell didn't divulge his plans for the year, he did have a few ideas already in place.
“I hope to attract more players back, ex-players, new players, old players. I already have an idea of who my major players will be,” he said.
“Anybody can come down and play. If anybody wants to come for a run and see what you’ve got, they are welcome to; I’ll get them fit, and get them playing well.”
“Hopefully, this year goes well for the club, it’s a friendly club, with good people.”
Mr Cosstick has the utmost confidence in his new coaches, their skill and experience are going to be an asset to the club.
“We have a new 18s coach coming in, SY has been here from the start, she's a good player and can impart her wisdom on the new team. Caryl won a premiership last year. I brought Darren in because of his experience as a coach, and player.”
“They have all played, myself included, with all of us we have a massive fountain of knowledge on offer.”
Nobody knows this sport better than the players, doesn't matter what the game is, cricket, soccer, if you haven't played it how can you be expected to coach.
- Scott Cosstick
“Nobody knows this sport better than the players, doesn't matter what the game is, cricket, soccer if you haven't played it how can you be expected to coach.”
While the start of the season is still months away, Mr Cosstick hopes the early start will give them an edge in the coming months.
“The comp doesn’t begin until April; we are just starting, getting into the swing of things, we've already got a pre-season trial planned at Tugan.”
“Registrations are open for all teams; it’s a good club, a fair club, anybody can come down for a run, you'll meet good people, and keep fit.”
Anybody interested in playing this season can contact Nambucca Roosters president Scott Cosstick on 0403 529 055.