Wagga City has looked outside the club for its first grade coach, installing Albury man Nathan Honeyman into the role for 2016.
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Honeyman will continue to live on the border as he prepares to take up his first head position after fulfilling a number of roles with the Steamers.
The 34-year-old was the premiers’ strength and conditioning coach last season, as well as in 2013, but is looking forward to the new challenge.
“I’ve always desired to be a head coach of a club,” Honeyman said.
“I’ve got very strong ties with the Steamers but to be given the opportunity to coach a very big squad with a lot of youth and potential is amazing.”
Honeyman spent most of his playing days in England but following a knee reconstruction comes in as a non-playing coach.
He’s not anticipating any push back from the Steamers as he prepares to help the Boiled Lollies’ charge back up the ladder.
“The move from Albury to Wagga City might raise a few eyebrows,” he said.
“But I suppose this is modern football.”
Wagga City vice-president Adrian Quilty is confident Honeyman is the right man to replace Michael Small.
“We are excited about what Nathan brings to the table,” Quilty said.
“We have been very inwards looking as a club for the last eight or nine years and it was time that we brought an outside presence into the club.
“I think we needed it.”
Qulity is not concerned about Honeyman remaining in Albury full-time, believing the club already has systems in place to cover any absence.
“We are very confident Nathan is going to have the support from the existing coaching staff, who are all very positive about him coming to the club, and the players are very positive about coming to the club,” he said.
“He has a whiff of success about him.”
Wagga City also have their fourth president in four years, with Dan Holder coming into replace Craig Jones.
The Boiled Lollies start pre-season training on Thursday at Jubilee Oval.