Premiership-winning coach Gavin Thompson has returned to the top job at North Companions but he won't be doing it alone.
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The reason he left coaching in the Premier Division two years ago - work - will still pose a barrier to attending every game so Thompson has teamed up with some experienced heads at the club.
Andrew Mahony, Ben Todd and Ben van Aanholt along with Thompson make up the coaching group at Northies.
They take over from Jackson Zifodya who was at the helm for the past two seasons.
"He worked his socks off the last two years," Thompson said of Zifodya.
"Jackson's still involved in third grade - he's a club stalwart."
North Companions just missed out on a spot in the finals last season and Thompson said a finals berth was achievable in 2021.
"Toward the end of the year, if we can go through without too many injures and unavailability of players, we're hoping we will be competitive with the top sides," Thompson said.
"We're definitely in a rebuilding phase and of course we all want to win, but it's not the be-all and end-all. We're trying to develop players and get them to understand how we play."
Thompson said the coaching group wanted to "bring the enjoyment back into the game" as they go through their rebuilding phase and "get Northies back on track".
"Every team wants to win - if you don't go out there to win, you probably shouldn't be playing - but the enjoyment factor is a major key," Thompson said.
"If you're enjoying playing, you'll play better as well and all four of us that are coaching are in agreement."
On Saturday against Tamworth FC will be Northies' first game of the season after their round one clash against OVA was rescheduled to Thursday, May 13.
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