FORMER Wauchope Blues junior Anthony Boyd will take charge as first grade coach in the 2017 Group 3 rugby league season.
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Boyd left the area as a 17-year-old and has been through the system and been coached by the likes of Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett.
He has indicated he has taken on the role at the Blues with the hope of coaching the local junior talent into the best players they can be.
"I've learnt from the best and know what it takes to get the best out of a team. I’m excited for the challenge," he said.
Taking on the reserve grade job will be co-captain coaches Shannon Walmsley and Robert Davison.
Walmsley was also a Wauchope junior and has recently returned the area with his family.
Davison is no stranger to the Blues either, having a couple of seasons with club a few years ago.
Both coaches are serving members of the NSW police force and are based at the Kempsey station.
Partly the reason why they have taken on the role together to make sure they can be committed to the team at all times.
Walmsley has made it clear that he is 100 per cent on board with whatever direction the first grade coach heads in, and is committed to put the best team on the paddock.
The reserve grade coaches are also doing recruiting of their own and are excited for training to kick off.
Brad Maggs has taken reins of the under 18's again for the 2017 campaign.
Maggs had great success with the side this year and had their foot in the door for a grand final spot but unfortunately fell just short.
He has been a great supporter of the club and is now continuing that support by moulding the juniors into young stars.
He said he was keen to have another crack at the job because of the kids coming through from under 16's.
"Six players out of that major semi-final were under 16's playing up and I’m really excited to work with them, now they are coming into their own age group,” he said.
Maggs is also a huge supporter of the first grade coach and is excited to work under the one club model Boyd is hoping to take into the 2017 season.
The ladies league tag will be coached by Brian Wright with club stalwart Ray Donovan lending his assistance as team manager.
Brian has been a state oztag representative and believes that his knowledge of what he believes is a similar sport will be of great benefit to the ladies.
"Defence is the key to this game and it’s something I'll be putting a lot of focus around," Wright said, when asked what his plans for 2017 were.
The Blues will hold their Christmas party on December 4 at the Rocks Ferry reserve from midday.