Kindly provided by Kirsty Johnston (Maryborough Advertiser)
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League coaching puzzle is now complete as the last piece falls into place with Royal Park’s announcement of their senior coach for season 2012.
On the eve of round one, the Tigers have named Jimmy Shelton as the senior coach for 2012.
Shelton, currently the side’s captain, will step up and take the main job.
He won’t have much time to get prepared with the Tigers set to kick off their season with a Sunday clash with Harcourt at Hedges Oval this weekend.
The centre half back arrived at the club five years ago, following his brother and friends to the Tigers.
Despite being labelled the league’s easybeats over recent seasons, Shelton said he expects his side to improve a lot on last year.
“The club has attracted more players for the season,” Shelton said, hopeful of lowering the number of players who take to the field twice as the club struggled for numbers.
Despite being confident of a good season ahead, the 26-year-old does have some nerves heading into his first weekend as a coach.
“It’s all a new feeling,” he says of the preparation ahead of the clash with the Lions.
“It’s a nervous excitement but I’m quietly confident of a good result.
“On Sunday night hopefully I’ll have a few positive things to think about.”
Darren Smith, who is returning to the club, will take charge of the reserves side.
Royal Park president Justin Broad said the club was very happy with the appointment of Shelton.
“He has been at the club for a few years and he is very keen to take on the role,” Broad said.
“He’s very enthusiastic and a good club person.
“Even though the start of the season is so close he is still talking to players.”
Broad said Shelton had thrown himself into a number of different roles within the club since his arrival.
Shelton’s appointment works in with the club’s Royal Waive campaign for season 2012.
The coach, like other players, will forfeit his match and coaching payments, with the money instead going to the Cancer Council Victoria.
In a unique partnership all money raised this season will be donated to the organisation that supports the research, education and awareness of all types of cancer.
Last Modified on 24/04/2012 10:23