DAVID Newett is staying on as Bendigo Bank Pioneers coach for next year's AFL Victoria TAC Cup under-18s action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His reappointment as coach was announced on Tuesday by Pioneers regional manager Ray Byrne.
Next season will be Newett's third in charge.
"The past two seasons have been challenging and rewarding," he said.
"There are exciting times ahead. There is a lot of quality among the bottom-age players from this year and those who played in the under-16 championships team, coached by Peter Gibbs, did well in the few TAC Cup games they played," said Newett.
Involved with TAC Cup since it kicked off, firstly with Gippsland Power, and with the Pioneers since 2001, Byrne said Newett had done a lot of work on the development of all on the Pioneers list.
"The structures he has put in place has done a lot to strengthen the club," Byrne said.
"This season we were a lot more competitive and players kept improving every game."
Newett said the Pioneers were beaten by three goals or less in a lot of matches.
"We really pushed Geelong Falcons, a premiership favourite, in both games.
"There were not too many matches that ended up being a blow-out.
"Lapses in a quarter or two did cost us a few times."
Newett said a highlight was the improvement of all players, not just the guns such as Morrish medallist Jacob Chisari, Sam Heavyside and Jordan Mangan, but across the board.
"There's a lot of work they have done to be fitter, stronger, and more skilful."
Byrne said Newett's full-time role as coach was a huge plus for the club.
"David has done a lot of one-on-one sessions with players, which has involved video analysis, feedback, skills work and a lot more," Byrne said.
"David has done a lot of work getting out to many areas in our zone, and with the specialist sports program at Bendigo Senior Secondary College."
Byrne said the BSSC team led by principal Dale Pearce and Paul Seery had given tremendous support since the program kicked off.
Many of the players in this year's Pioneers squad are at BSSC.
First coaching stint for Newett was with Glenorchy's under-18s in 1998.
His run to the Pioneers included assistant coach of Tasmania's team in the VFL, three-years as Glenorchy's senior coach, development coaching roles at North Melbourne, Coburg Tigers and Richmond.
The lead-up to next season kicks off in earnest later this month when trials for the 15, 16 and 17s are run at the Pioneers training base at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
Those sessions will be on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in AFL grand final week.