The Tony La Chiusa-coached Lions have a new-look jumper, modelled on the old Tamworth City Lions’ red, white and blue, to play in this season.

Tamworth City Lions and West Tamworth Robins merged in 1996, winning Under 18 and reserve grade titles in their first year.

Tony La Chiusa coached the reserve grade side for the first two years under first grade coaches John Gutherson and then Jimmy Leis (1997) before he took over in 1998 and has been there ever since.

“Last year we played in the old West (Robins) retro jumper,” La Chiusa said.

“This year we’re recognising the Tamworth City part of the club.

“It’s the club’s 30th reunion for winning the first grade grand final at No 1 Oval against Moree Boomerangs too.

“They won juniors that day too and are having a reunion on Tamworth Cup day (April 29). I think the new jumpers look pretty good.

“We’ve had a lot of comment on Facebook too.”

Five of the Lions modelled the new-look strip for The Leader this week – Sean and Matt Nean, Shaughan Stevenson, Richard Lowder and club captain Brendan Hunt.

The Nean brothers, La Chiusa, said would form a dangerous and potent attacking force in the halves with Ben Crowley.

The loss of Mick Watton to North Tamworth is a blow but La Chiusa likes the look of new boys Sean Nean, Luke and Beau White.

Luke White and his brother, Beau, have joined from Barraba and will be a part of a slick backline.

“Beau will probably play fullback,” La Chiusa said.

The Lions have been training at Bicentennial Park since December and hope to return to Scully Park after next week’s NSW Waratahs-Samoa rugby game and the tents are removed from Scully 2.

While the Lions have a new strip they also have a new trainer – or rather a training company.

They didn’t have to look to far either to sign up a trainer.

First grade forward Richard Lowder and his fitness company RCL have been preparing the Lions.

Lowder, who hails from Wee Waa, joined the Lions two seasons back and enters a third year hoping to help the club win a fourth premiership in succession.

“I work full time at BAE as well, training 80 pilots out there,” Lowder said.

West Lions begin their season with their annual 7s on February 25.

“Then we play Wauchope in four grades here on March 10,” La Chiusa said.

“Then we’ve got the Group 4 Knockout the end of March.”

West plays its first game of the new Group 4 premiership against Narrabri at Narrabri on the weekend of April 14/15.