THE Narrabri Blues have secured a head coach for the 2019 Group 4 rugby league season with favourite son Brenton Cochrane given the reins.
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Cochrane’s appointment as playing coach comes after Narrabri registered five wins in the 2018 season and finished fifth on the first grade ladder.
Blues president Michael Gleeson told Fairfax Media Cochrane’s appointment was “very exciting for the club”.
“Our club had a long application process, in fact I think we might be the last first grade side to have appointed a head coach,” Gleeson said.
“We took our time and are very pleased to have Brenton leading our club in 2019.”
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Like other clubs, the Blues struggled with player numbers throughout 2018, eventually being forced to fold their second grade side.
“I think it’s fair to say like most sporting clubs around the region we struggled in terms of player depth this year,” Gleeson said.
“The drought obviously had a bit to do with that and so does shift working in the mining industry.
“However, Brenton is the sort of player that will help attract new players to the club from right around the league, so hopefully we can rectify that issue next season.”
The club also named Ashley Hinch as the club’s reserve grade coach, while Brodie Rumsby will lead the under 18’s.
“It will be very exciting to have both Ashley and Brodie involved in the coaching structure next year,” Gleeson said.
“Ash has had some grand final experience with our second grade team in the past few years and should hopefully attract a few players back to the club.
“Brodie will also be great for our younger guys with his current involvement with Narrabri High School a key to us recruiting some younger players.
“The development of those younger players will also be a priority for Brenton as well and something for us as a club to focus on.”
Cochrane will get his first chance to shape the side for next season when the club begins pre-season training early next month.
“We will be looking to have a few sessions in the lead up to Christmas,” Gleeson said.
“It’s an exciting time for our club and we are really looking forward to lies ahead in season 2019.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
