New blood in head coaching roles seems to be all the rave in the Macleay Valley this year.
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South West Rocks Marlins, Macleay Valley Mustangs, Kempsey Saints, Macleay Valley Rangers have all got new head coaches and Mike Davis has added his name to that list.
The local junior will take the reins of the Lower Macleay Magpies in the Hastings League with their first match tomorrow against Lake Cathie Raiders.
He couldn't be more excited to start the new role.
"I can't wait, I can't sleep, didn't sleep last night, probably won't tonight or tomorrow night," he told the Argus.
"Lucky I've got two old fellas (Barry Vale and David Scholes) to give me a hand."
Davis returned to town in 2018 after nine years at Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast rugby league competition.
While there he won two reserve grade titles and one first grade.
Having previously played for local clubs like the Mustangs, Warriors and Dragons, 2021 will see him pull on the Magpies jersey for the first time.
Coaching presents an exciting opportunity for him.
"It's a new challenge and experience, I'm keen to see the boys back on the field too, it's been a year due to COVID and three years for some," he said.
"To see them back in action doing a full pre-season, I just want the boys to be back having fun out on the field.
"It's been a good pre-season too with about 30-35 players showing up.
"We've got a few boys with first grade experience like Dean Richie, Braydon Davis, David Davis and a couple of local fellas."
As mentioned, Davis will have the support of Barry Vale and David Scholes.
Vale has previously won Group 2 player of the year back when he was a Smithtown Tiger in the late 80's to early 90's.
He's played all over NSW including Tweed Heads, Armidale and Sydney before returning to support the juniors and seniors of Smithtown.
He was an assistant to the grand final winning under 10s last year.
"I do a lot with the juniors and got asked to come back and help out with the senior league and said I'd love to," he explained.
Meanwhile, Scholes is an experienced coach with the women's side.
The women's competition in the Hastings League is currently up in the air with only three sides nominated thus far with a meeting to decide the outcome.
"Hopefully they can stay around in the club and support [if the season doesn't go ahead]," Davis said.
"The girls had a great pre-season with about 18 ready to play," Scholes added.
The men's sides match tomorrow against the newly reformed Lake Cathie Raiders at Lake Cathie brings football back to the region after the Hastings League didn't go ahead last year due to COVID-19.
Davis is keen to see rugby league prosper throughout the Macleay Valley.
"Everyone's excited to get back into, everyone has missed their footy, especially in the winter when there's not much to do," he explained.
"Everyone can get out and watch some local football and with the Marlins, Mustangs and Lower Macleay, there's going to be three great teams and it's good to see all three back being competitive."
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