GROUP 20 club Darlington Point-Coleambally has appointed Riverina rugby league veteran Jay Little as captain-coach for next season as the club turns its attention to building for the future.
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Little, who spent this season with Group Nine outfit Temora, was headhunted by the Roosters hierarchy with the experienced halfback seen as the perfect candidate to bring through DPC's burgeoning next generation.
DPC is blessed with some of the best young talent in Group 20, having captured this year's under 16 title in a thrilling grand final win over Leeton.
It was the Roosters' third under 16s grand final appearance in as many years and their second successful one, while their under 18s team also fell one game short of the decider.
Little said he was excited about moulding the raw young talent at his disposal into a competitive first-grade team, even it means a bit of short-term pain in the interim.
"We're not expecting to finish on top or anything outlandish," he said.
"We're just trying to get these boys changing their culture and trying to get them working towards something.
"That's the main reason I'm coming over and the main reason they targeted me.
"They're looking at changing their ways a bit and trying to educate and nurture the youngsters coming through.
"I've actually already got an insight on a couple of them, working with the CRL Academy sides at the moment."
Little takes over as coach from Andrew Herbert, who hung up his boots at the end of last season, and joins a club that underachieved in 2013, finishing seventh on the ladder.
Only the two struggling Griffith clubs finished below the Roosters in a wildly inconsistent Group 20 campaign.
Fortunately many of DPC's key men, including Nick Briggs, Sam Dalby, Richie Bamblett, Tongia Fox and Dean Chauncey will stick around for next year.
But while the recent loss of speed merchant Josh Bryant to Yenda will hurt, Little is confident DPC can make up for any departures through development.
Plenty is expected from the likes of promising hooker Deon Curphey, forward Trey Eldridge, utlity Matt O'Malley and halves options Jesse Forrester and Jack and Billy Robb going forward.
The Roosters will, however, bring in some front-row reinforcements to protect their young stars.
This has become a priority with Josh Curphey set to make his switch to Yenda in the coming days.
"He'll be a big loss for the club but if he leaves, it'll be on good terms," Little said.
"He has other things going on in life and Yenda's a lot closer to where he lives, geographically."
