AN exciting brand of footy mixed with defensive traits is what Brett Henderson will be striving to achieve in his new role as head coach at Bendigo Pioneers Football Club.
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Henderson was given a tour of the club's facilities at Epsom Huntly Reserve by regional manager Ray Byrne on Monday.
In the late 80s they were opponents in the Bendigo Football League.
Henderson was playing for Sandhurst, and Byrne was at Golden Square.
Two and a half decades later they team up as the two biggest influential off-field players at the Pioneers.
The sixth coach in the club's 22-year history, Henderson has spent the past three seasons as development coach at Williamstown Football Club.
The Henderson-coached Williamstown was premier in the Victorian Football League's development competition the past two years.
"Development of young players is a challenge I really enjoy," he said.
"It's not just about footy skills, but off-field as well."
Henderson's coaching career included a premiership with Echuca's under-18s in 2008 and then three years as senior coach of the Bombers before he headed to Williamstown.
"The development coaching role at Williamstown was a great opportunity.
"I was able to learn a lot from the likes of Peter German and Andrew Collins."
In 2012 and '13, Williamstown was aligned with Western Bulldogs where Henderson worked with Rohan Smith and other members of the AFL club's coaching panel.
In the lead-up to and throughout next TAC Cup season, Henderson said there would be some changes to the Pioneers game-plan.
"The goal is to play an exciting brand of football and be prepared to take the game on.
"The need to defend will be a huge emphasis."
Involved with TAC Cup since it began, firstly with Gippsland and then Bendigo, Byrne said invites to pre-season training would be out this week.
First of the pre-season sessions will be on November 19.
Byrne said the club was working toward the appointment of two assistant coaches.
"It's a new era for the club," said Byrne.
"David Newett did a fantastic job in bringing in new programs and ideas," Byrne said of his three-season stint as head coach.
"Brett's experience at VFL level is a huge plus for the club.
. "The link with the specialist sports program at Bendigo Senior Secondary College has helped a lot of our players, especially those who have relocated.
"There will be some tweaking to various programs," Byrne said of plans for 2015 and beyond.
Henderson watched four or five Pioneers matches last season.
"The top-age players we have going into next season give the coaching group a lot of talent to work with."