The Berwick Miners are hoping to attract a new coach and more players for their junior side, who could potentially join Steve Baker, pictured here against the Nunawading Warriors this month, in the senior team in the future.By Marc McGowan
THE Berwick Miners are on the lookout for a new head coach and more players to bolster their successful junior program after long-time incumbent John Murphy stepped down due to illness.
The Miners have enjoyed many triumphs in the junior Gridiron Victoria competition, having won the Riddell Bowl in 1998, 2001 and 2002.
They have also finished runner-up on three occasions, including last season.
The junior league has lowered the age range from players between 15 and 19 years of age to between 14 and 18, and runs from October to December.
Senior head coach Dale Warren said finding a qualified gridiron coach was a difficult task, but the club would accept someone who had a good understanding of the game, particularly former Americans living in the City of Casey.
Berwick is hoping to make a decision in the next month before pre-season training kicks off in mid-August.
As for prospective players, Warren believes gridiron has plenty to offer.
“It’s something more exciting than Aussie Rules, cricket and basketball,” he said.
“You are catching a ball, running 100 yards to score a touchdown or making a big hit or tackle.”
And the Miners are not after a particular body shape either, with gridiron catering for many different individuals.
“Size doesn’t matter – we accept big kids and little kids,” he said.
“It helps the bigger kids realise they can play a sport, lose a bit of weight and be part of a team environment.”
The biggest positive of becoming involved in Berwick’s development program is that between five and 15 players over the age of 18 generally step up to the senior side each season.
Teenage quarterback Sam Walker has made the transition from junior star to senior starter in his first season out of underage competition.
Anyone interested in applying for the head coaching position for the Miners’ junior team or playing for the club can contact Dale Warren on 0419 518 201.
In other news, the senior Berwick squad’s match this Sunday against the Bay City Buccaneers has been switched from Henry Turner Reserve to Geelong’s Deakin University.
The contest starts at 2.30pm.
