Nathan Dowdle was yesterday announced as North Wagga's new coach following the resignation of Steve Barnes from the job last week.

The 22-year-old was approached by the Saints when Barnes told them he would not be available to coach next season, and jumped at the opportunity to lead the young club.

Dowdle said he had the idea of one day coaching a team in the back of his head but was thrilled the chance came earlier than expected.

"I've always loved my footy and I've always wanted to coach," Dowdle said.

"This club is great, I've had great support from (committeeman) Greg Fox and (new coaching co-ordinator) Nigel (Smith) and I was excited to be asked to coach. 

“There are a lot of young fellas at the club, and some older guys, and this year is about improving those young guys and getting good plans in place.”

Dowdle was approached by the club last week with the proposal and sat down on Monday night to officially sign on as coach.

Fox was yesterday thrilled to announce the signing.

“Nathan was worried that he was only young, but he has a lot of experience playing under Shane Lenon at Gullie,” Fox said.

“We believe he is a great fit for the club.”

Dowdle played at North Wagga in 2006 before the club folded and he moved to Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka to play under Demons coaches Lenon and Brad Aiken.

He rejoined the Saints at the beginning of this year and was one of their better players over the 2012 season, when the team made the Farrer League elimination final.

He will take the reins from Barnes as of this week.

Barnes was forced to step down last week after learning he will be travelling away for work over the next six months.

“Barnesy just felt he wouldn’t be able to take pre-season and decided to step down,” Dowdle said.

“He doesn’t really know what he’s doing with work at the moment but he has said he will be back to play in time for the season, which is great for us.”

North Wagga has already signed Mark Adams to assistant coach next season but Dowdle said no other signings have been confirmed yet.