One of the premier coaches to have graced the Goulburn Valley League is set to headline the upcoming interleague clash in May.
Kyabram premiership coach Paul Newman has been appointed coach of the Goulburn Valley League’s senior football side that will renew its rivalry against the Ovens and Murray league.
The leagues will do battle for the Ash-Wilson Trophy at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on May 28.
Newman, a former GVL interleague captain and assistant coach, said he couldn’t wait to represent the purple-and-gold again.
“I was approached a few weeks ago about taking on the coaching role. To be able to represent your league is a massive honour,” Newman said.
“Interleague for me has changed quite a bit from when I played. It started out as a three-game series.
“It was the pinnacle of your career to represent the GVL and you took great pride in how your league was perceived and where it was ranked.
“But I think it’s a great format now and it’s a good chance to rejuvenate interest in representative football, so I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.”
The last time the GVL participated in a representative contest was in 2019, the final year of the country championships format, against Western Region Football League.
Although the ranking system is no longer around, it will be a fierce contest between the GVL and the O and M with bragging rights up for grabs.
“It’s always a pretty tough game,” Newman said.
“The rivalry is a pretty big one and there’s a lot of respect between the two leagues. It’s a great opportunity to highlight both leagues as well.”
The multiple premiership-winning coach will now turn his attention to workshopping and putting a squad together for the clash.
Despite the record between the two rivals being split on nine wins each, the O and M has held on to the Ash-Wilson Trophy since 2018.
The Kyabram mentor is an advocate of interleague football and highlighted some of the positives that could come out of it.
“You’re playing alongside the best players in the comp and against some very talented players,” Newman said.
“It’s a great opportunity to create friendships with guys from other clubs and you also form a newfound respect for them as a teammate.”
Newman hopes an array of the GVL’s talents puts a hand up to play, but he understands that some may opt out of participating.
“Everyone has different interests these days and I know people pencil in trips for the bye rounds,” he said.
“I’ll look to change things up a bit. We won’t overdo it with heaps of training sessions and things like that.”