Nelson Bay Rugby Club has announced its coaching staff for 2019. First grade coaches will be Adam Edwards and Ben Whaler, second grade mentors will be Matt Affleck and Joey Armstrong and thirds, Medowie Marauders, coach will be John Burke.
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The partnership manager will be Tim Lancaster and director of rugby Bryan Hudson.
Whaler, a prop, is a product of the western force academy and also played league at the elite level. Edwards coached the Gropers in 2016 with great success.
Whaler is confident that he and Edwards won’t have to change too much as Nelson Bay aim to build on a breakthrough 2018 Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union season.
Both will play this season. The pair take over from Dave Sharp who stood down due to work and family commitments.
The Gropers finished fourth last season before knocked out in the minor semi-final by Maitland – the Bay’s first appearance in the finals since 2002.
Fly-half Michael Wiringi has retired but Whaler expects the rest of the squad, headed by Chad Nortcott, Nathan Oliver, Dan Collins, Michael Hotene and Jack Arthur, to be on deck.
Training starts this week with the club working on preseason trials in February.
Mallabula Rugby League Club will start their 2019 campaign on Wednesday, January 23 when they hold their first training run for the men and ladies tag teams at Mallabula Oval from 6pm.
Coach for the Panthers is former Maitland player Chris Gorton. The team will have several fresh faces joining the bulk of last year’s squad.
The ladies tag team are expected to be a force this season. After last year’s premiership win they could be promoted to the top division. Successful coach Dereck Coxon will again mentor the talented team.
