There has been plenty happening at the Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club since the 2011 season came to a close.
On the field, the Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club is pleased to announce its Senior Coach for season 2012. Rod Bills, will take the reins as a non playing coach from next season. Bills played at Lakes in the 80’s and 90’s and was part of the 1988, 1994 and 1995 Senior Premierships.
He also had a three year stint at Bairnsdale from 1990 - 92 while they were part of the Major League. Bills returned to Lakes for a couple more seasons, coaching the reserve grade side, before embarking on a senior coaching role at neighbouring club Orbost where he lead the side to Premiership success in 1996.
Bills continued playing at Orbost, including being part of the 1998 & 1999 senior flags. He had a one year stint at Swan Reach ion ’03 before being part of the amalgamated Orbost Snowy Rovers team in 2004. He retired from footy at the end of that season.
The Club believes Bills will be a great acquisition for the Club with his knowledge and experience a huge plus for a Club with such a young group of players.
New President Ray Burgess said, “We are rapt to have Rod on board for next year. We were looking for someone with plenty of footy experience that could really teach this next generation of young Lakes footballers how to play the game and we think Rod is that perfect fit”.
Bills is looking forward to the challenge at hand, but is confident he can build a successful side.
“I’m really looking for success, we’ve been third for the last few seasons and there is the talent to go further,” Bills said.
“I’m looking forward to developing the young ones, getting fit, playing the best local blokes and I’m confident we’ll do well.
“I mean in a seven-team competition you really have to be striving for a top two finish and then have a real crack at the flag from there.”
Bills’ past coaching and playing experience holds him in good stead to lead the Seagulls back to the top of East Gippsland football and he wants to see his side taste premiership success.
“I think I can bring about a new fitness, dedication, passion and some professionalism to the club.
“That is a big one being professional, we have to do the right things and get in the right shape to win a flag.
“We have plenty of good players, we just need to go that next step.”
The Thirds will be coached by Nathan Pegler. Pegler has been Senior captain for the last two seasons and is looking forward to the challenges that coaching brings. He is well liked and respected right around not only the club but also the league and will begin his journey into coaching. The Club is yet to appoint it’s reserve grade coach.
Off the field, the Annual General Meeting was held with a number of new faces filling the executive positions. Resigning from the President’s job was Club legend Wayne Reggardo. After nearly a decade on and off at the helm, Reggie has decided to take a step back and be happy simply as a supporter in the outer in 2012. His huge contribution on and off the field will be sorely missed as Reggie has been a mainstay for the best part of 30 years at the Lakes Footy Club. Also stepping down from the Committee after making considerable contributions to the club in recent years were Roger Geron and Shane O’Donnell.
Taking over the mantle as President in Ray Burgess. Burgess has only been at the club for a short time but brings to the table passion, enthusiasm and experience with him having served on various Football Club committees for the last decade and being a former President at the Cowwarr Football Club in the North Gippsland League.
Kevin ‘Chad’ Stevens has taken on the role of Vice President. His experience, respect and local knowledge will be a great acquisition off the field for the club.
Sean McGee takes on the Secretary’s position having retired from senior football at the end of the 2011 season.
Bernie Kelly will take over from Tracey Dear as Treasurer, with Dear taking up a more netball orientated role with the League.
The remainder of the Committee is strong with a good mix of last year’s Committee as well as some new faces.
Pre season training is set to begin on Monday 21st November starting at 6pm at the Footy Club. All past, present and potential players are invited to come down for a kick and get the ball rolling for what the Seagulls are hoping will be a very successful 2012 campaign.
Last Modified on 03/11/2011 12:41