The Cessnock Goannas will start pre-season training next Tuesday (December 10) at Cessnock Sportsground under the leadership of newly-signed first grade coach, Steve Kidd.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A Maitland junior, Kidd played most of his first grade career with Kurri from 2000 to 2008 and played more than 130 first grade games for the Bulldogs.
Since his retirement from playing, Kidd has coached Maitland reserve grade to a grand final and Kurri reserve grade to the semi-finals this year.
Kidd paid tribute to former Goannas coach Todd Edwards for the way he has left the club, indicating he “has big shoes to fill”.
The elevation to the first grade ranks is a just reward for Kidd who is looking forward to the challenge ahead and hoping to take first grade to at least a semi-final spot in 2014.
The club has signed local Brett Stevens to captain-coach reserve grade with the popular Steve Dunstan again in charge of the under-23s. Dunstan has also been appointed conditioning coordinator.
To round off the four games played each week will again be the under-18s, who this year will be coached by football club president Dave Woodbury.
Players are invited to attend training sessions this coming Tuesday and next Thursday (December 12), which are designed to allow players to show their potential to the new coaches.
“It’s a good opportunity for players to show the newly promoted coaches what talent they have,” Woodbury said.
“Cessnock have retained most of their roster from this year and added a couple of new signings including former Goanna Chris Adams and former Maitland first-grader Geordie Connelly to our ranks.”
Training will continue each Tuesday and Thursday until mid-December followed by a break before resuming mid-January 2014.
The Real NRL draw for the 2014 season has been posted with round one to be Cessnock vs Maitland at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday, April 12 and round two on Easter Thursday night against Lakes at Cahill Oval.
