TUMUT’S unusual approach to finding a new captain-coach appears to be working.
Months after the Blues advertised for the position following Arana Taumata’s departure, the club is going through a short-list of applicants as they look to rebuild.
Advertising for a coach is nothing new, but the Blues have stepped it up a little and decided to employ a full-time development officer.
Part of his role will be captain-coach of the team but Tumut is also for the right man to develop the club from under 6s to first grade and help return them to their peak.
Committeeman Dan Roddy doesn't expect a final decision to be made for at least another three weeks but has been impressed by the response to the ad.
“It’s been really good,” Roddy said.
“We’ve had a lot of interest and a lot of applications.
“Applicants from NRL playing and coaching background as well which is what we really wanted.”
The Blues are looking for a three-year commitment for the successful application as they look to transform the club.
Working “towards being the best club in country rugby league over the next 3 years” is the aim for the former powerhouses who have been in the goldrums for the last four years.
After failing to win a game in 2014, the Blues won three games to finish second last, only above winless Tumbarumba.
The Blues are looking for their new leader to help align to the club business model as well as help attract and retain the playing group and become involved in all aspects of rugby league in Tumut.
“I think we are pioneering it,” Roddy said.
“There is nowhere, that I am aware of, that has done anything like in the country footy so it’s a new thing we are doing but we are confident we have the got the right structure and everything else to make it successful.
“Time will tell.”
While the club still waiting to lock in a coach, Roddy said they weren’t expecting a big turnover of players from last season.
“Obviously any player wants to know who is going to be coach, it is a critical element, and we are going to get across the playing group in the next week or so just to see what everyone plans are,” he said.
“You look at our team and probably 75 per cent are local so we don’t expect any huge turnover at all.”
Patrick Taumata remained at the club despite his brother’s sudden departure and is a chance of staying with the club as is searching for employment in the area.
The Blues and Cootamundra are the only Group Nine clubs that hasn’t announced a coach for 2016.
The Bulldogs had announced Luke Berkrey as their leader before he had a change of plans.
