Steve Sharp will soon step into the new role as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's regional manager. 

His appointment follows the pending retirement of Ray Byrne in early April.

Sharp's footy background includes a five-year stint with AFL NSW-ACT from 1995 until 2000 and then at Golden Square Football-Netball Club.

His time at Golden Square included club presidency, and several seasons coaching junior teams.

"This is an exciting opportunity," Sharp said on Thursday at Pioneers headquarters in Golden Square.

"Development of football has always appealed to me and is a great challenge.

"As a newcomer there will be some different ideas to bring to the club, but it's all about teamwork - on and off the field," Sharp said.

Key players off-field include head coach Brett Henderson and Leigh Byrne in football operations.

Ray Byrne's involvement with the TAC Cup lasted more than 20 years and began with Gippsland Power.

He said Sharp's background was a huge plus for the Pioneers.

"He will be able to look at the way things are done and do some tweaking."

Recruited by Carlton from Golden Square in the early 70s, Byrne returned home to be the Pioneers regional manager in mid-2000.

His final official duties will be next month's under-16 country championships in Bendigo. 

Byrne said Sharp joins the Pioneers at an exciting time for footy across the region.

"The AFL Central Victoria Academy has kicked off, and there are some big projects being talked about.

"It's important all involved with the game work together."

The link from Golden Square to the Pioneers rolls on.

All three regional managers in the club's history - the late Neville Strauch, Ray Byrne and now Steve Sharp have strong ties to the Bulldogs.

The Pioneers still have the largest zone of all TAC Cup clubs.

The club draws players from as far afield as Mildura, Echuca, Kyneton and Maryborough.

Byrne said a huge challenge each year was expenditure.

"There's a lot of costs to do the things we want to do," Byrne said.

"We have fantastic support from our sponsors."

Sharp officially starts work as the Bendigo Pioneers regional manager on April 13.

"The Pioneers is a great pathway and opportunity to reach AFL level.

"Development of life skills as much as footy skills is important.

"Helping players be the best they can be and go back to their club as better players is a major goal for the club."