The Crookwell Green Devils have made their first official step in preparation for the 2021 season, with the recent announcement of the coaching staff.
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Last week, the club confirmed that president Paddy Lenane will once again take charge of the women's league tag side, while Dayne Haynes and Chris Chudleigh will guide the Under 19s, and Brian Gray will stay on as the George Tooke Shield team coach.
Gray initially signed on to coach the Green Devils in the 2020 season, which the club eventually called off due to COVID-19.
As the Green Devils ready for the 2021 pre-season, which begins later this month, Gray is eager to get underway once again.
"Our dressing rooms are still sitting there, our centenary celebrations will be on this year, it's a bit of a re-run of last year," Gray said.
"If COVID does the right thing, hopefully we'll get a season of footy in."
The only questions remaining concern the number of players who turn up once pre-season training begins. Considering the unique circumstances which ended the Green Devils' campaign last year, it is difficult to know what to expect in terms of player turnout.
As far as Gray is concerned, he hopes the core of the playing squad returns for the 2021 pre-season to continue building on the good work they started last year.
"I'm hoping that the nucleus of the squad is back," he said.
"We benefited from that eight-week block last year and we won't need to spend a lot of time on the areas we covered pretty comprehensively last year.
"Maybe it's a bit of a refresher course on some of those key areas and then we can move on to other things a little earlier."
Whichever players do elect to represent the club this year will benefit from some partnerships struck up by the Green Devils over the off-season.
The club has enlisted the services of the Goulburn Physiotherapy Centre and 2583 Fitness in Crookwell in order to aid the players in both their preparation and their recovery.
"That's going to be something that just ticks a few professional boxes and gives the players a good environment to work in," Gray said.
"And it saves the players a bit of money as well."
The players will be able to train at 2583 Fitness free of charge until the season begins, while a physiotherapist will attend the first training session of every week to assess the players' physical wellbeing.
The Crookwell Green Devils will begin pre-season training from 6pm on Thursday, January 28, at Todkill Oval.
For more information, contact the club via its Facebook page.
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