The 2021 Group 4 season will be special for the Narrabri Blues, regardless of what happens on the field.
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Next year will mark the club's 100th year and new first grade captain-coach Jake Rumsby thinks there can be more than one reason to celebrate by season's end.
"For every club, the end goal is to make the grand final and with the side we can have on paper, it'd be disappointing if we don't get there," he said.
"We're building up to 100 years and it'll be special on and off the field.
"A home grand final, that'd be the dream."
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Rumsby is still finalising his first grade squad, of players and coaches, for 2021.
One person he will definitely have by his side is his dad, John.
Rumsby Snr brings with him a wealth of experience to assist his son. He took the Blues to their last grand final appearance in 2017 when they went down to North Tamworth.
"As I grew up, even when I was really young, he was always involved in the senior league side and he coached my older brother the way through," Jake said.
Jake added: "He's a good judge of football character and doesn't shy away from telling the truth to people."
From watching his father coach, Jake built up a passion for it as well.
"I've always wanted to do it," Jake said of coaching.
"It's going to be exciting. Being 100 years, it creates a lot of interest. I'm just trying to lock in a few things now."
"We don't want to be boom or bust, either. We want to set the club up for the future."
The 2021 season not only marks Rumsby's first as a coach but also his return to the side.
He sat out the 2019 season - which turned into a two-year layoff due to covid - to rediscover his passion for the game which had been waning for some time.
"To be honest, I wasn't enjoying football," Rumsby said.
"I came back from Canberra and I'd lost the love a little bit.
"I played 20s there in 2013 and I was lucky to be exposed to that level different coaching techniques."
That time off rejuvenated the 27-year-old and after chatting to his teammates about the season he's keen "to get back on the paddock".
Exactly what position that return will be in is still to be decided.
"In the forwards somewhere. It doesn't worry me but I'll probably be a front rower this year," Rumsby said.
While Rumsby will lead first grade, reserve grade will be coached by Lachlann Thorn and Peter Doring will take charge of the under 18s. League tag coach is still to be announced.
Doring will also serve as president and will lead the committee which consists of roughly 16 people.
The vice presidents are Jason Pym and Lachlann Thorn, treasurer is Bec McMillan and secretary is Amanda Smith.
The club plans to hit the training paddock in the near future and the club encouraged anyone looking to have a run to come down. Check their Facebook page for more information.