James Curgenven is heading back to Wagga City as the club’s new coach.
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Curgenven was part of Gundagai’s Group Nine premiership this year but had already signalled his desire to return to rugby union.
He’s excited for the new venture at the club he first joined in 2014 and is hoping to help turn the Boiled Lollies back around.
“I’m trying to get a few of the older heads back and make sure we get guys committed to training so that as long as we train the guys will get fit and win some of the games we lost by close margins,” Curgenven said.
Wagga City were beaten grand finalists in 2016, preliminary finalists in 2017 but failed to win a game in 2018.
Curgenven wants to work on the team’s defence and is also looking to make it’s more fun.
“You have to enjoy your footy or you don’t play your best game so I’m going to make sure at training we’re going to get fit but also enjoy our footy,” he said.
“Working on our fitness is going to make a huge difference when it comes to our defence as well and it is something I will bring from league.
“Their intensity in defence is massively important and understanding that from league now is going to be a big thing to make sure we don’t leak as many points.
“If we do get the tryscorers going then we will have a lot better result.”
New Wagga City president Daniel Ribot is confident Curgenven is the right man to lead the club forward.
Believing the 34-year-old brings a new level of excitement to the club, he was thrilled to have him back with the club.
“It is good to have him back around the club in any capacity, but I think he’s going to be a good thing for the club in that role,” Ribot said.
“Putting aside 20 years of experience his involvement in SIRU finals as well as being around things like the Brumbies development squad puts him in a unique position in terms of what he brings to the club.
“There is a lot of coaches how have come and gone through Wagga City who haven’t had that level of experience and depth in this competition.
“I think he knows what it takes to be competitive in this competition and what it takes to make the finals in this competition.
“That is what we need.”
There was unprecedented interest in the coaching role with the Boiled Lollies.
The committee went to great lengths before locking in Curgenven.
Wagga City is yet to lock in other coaching and managerial roles, but thought it was a good sign so many wanted to help out the club.
“We were taken aback by the response,” Ribot said.
Wagga City also helped support Mia's Big Adventure and club raised around $3600 while wearing special jumpers for the young Wagga family.
Ribot was more than happy to lend a helping hand.
“At it’s core that is what Wagga City is built around – that community involvement and being a family club,” he said.
“It is something I have heard from the very beginning of my time with the club.”
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