New Riddell District Football League interleague coach Arron Bray will use his knowledge of the competition to put together a strong team.
Bray coached Broadford for four seasons, including its past two preliminary finals, and was last week appointed to the interleague role.
He replaces Matt Power, who coached the league for four seasons. The team last year lost to Alberton Football League.
This year the RDFL will face West Gippsland in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships on May 13.
Bray said former AFL coach Jeff Gieschen urged him to apply for the role, and he is looking forward to it.
“It’s a good starting point and something I wanted to put my hand up for,” he said. “You get to coach the best players in the league.
“The last four years I’ve prepared to coach against the other sides, so I know their strengths and weaknesses.”
Bray doesn’t have long to settle on a team, though, with the match less than two months away.
“I’ll get assistant coaches on board and see who is in form and who isn’t,” he said. “I’ll certainly make contact with league coaches and see whether they’ll give up some time to help. They’re the ones at the coalface.”
Bray said he knows little about West Gippsland, but would like to get out to a few matches between now and game day. He said if the RDFL could field a full strength side, it would have a good chance of winning.
“I’ll get out to a few games and also look at getting to some training sessions,” he said. “If the players are willing to jump on board and buy into the program you’re trying to set up, it makes it a lot easier … I understand some coaches will want to protect a few players due to injuries and fitness levels though.
“Those who do play get to have it on their playing resume for the rest of their lives.”
RDFL operations manager Steve Williams said Bray’s passion for coaching really stands out. Chris Wilson will continue as under-18 coach. He coached the side to a win last year against Alberton.
The RDFL will host the interleague games, two football and two netball games, at Macedon’s Tony Clarke Reserve.
Ciara Stewart has been appointed senior netball coach, while Michelle Rix will coach the under-17s.
