Two former mentors will return to the coaching ranks as preparations ramp up for the upcoming Goulburn Valley Playing Area season.
Kyabram has locked in Brent Reiner as its playing coach, while East Shepparton has welcomed back a familiar face and club favourite Daniel Nichols for the 2023-24 weekend pennant campaign.
The coaching news comes as the GVPA released its midweek and weekend pennant fixtures, with the former to start on October 10 and the latter to kick off four days later.
Reiner, who last coached during the 2021-22 summer, said he was excited to jump back into the coaching ranks following a year off.
“It’s pretty exciting; especially after last year where we had a great season. Hopefully we can make a few additions in personnel and go that next step now,” Reiner said.
“We’ve lost two players, but we’re in the middle of talking to a couple and hopefully we can strengthen the team.
“I’m pretty excited to coach this club, we had seven teams in finals last year across midweek and weekend which was a fantastic achievement.”
The current state triples champion hoped to lean on the club’s wealth of experience to help assist him.
“I’ve got a lot of support which is going to be great,” he said.
“Being at a club previously, you get to learn and know all the members, so it makes it a lot easier. When you’re new (to a club) you’re learning everyone and it’s pretty hard.
“I’m pretty excited to get stuck in.”
Meanwhile, East Shepparton will have a familiar face at the helm when it takes on Mooroopna in round one.
Nichols will replace Don Staggard who helped mentor the Eagles last season in a non-playing position.
Nichols, who last coached East Shepparton in the 2019-20 season, has returned to bowls after he focused on work commitments last season.
The Eagles’ mentor revealed he got an itch for coaching during his summer off.
“I had last year off and only played three or four games and just concentrated on work. I did miss it, after having a year off I realised that I am a lawn bowler and I need to be out on the greens,” Nichols said.
“I’ve got a real strong connection (with East), I do love the club and I decided I’d give coaching another crack.
“Don Staggard is an exceptional coach ... he’s gonna be there to assist me which I’m looking forward too.”
Nichols is aiming to lay the foundations for East to one day challenge the likes of heavyweights Shepparton Golf, Tallygaroopna and Kyabram in the coming years.
“This season is more focused on getting the club back on its feet,” he said.
“We just need a few more wins in pennant and then in years to come we can try and take us back to finals.”