Senior club profile: Coffs Harbour Breakers

In this new pre-season feature we’ll profile each of our Senior clubs. We start with reigning Senior and Under 17 Premiers Coffs Harbour Breakers.

HOW IS 2020 SHAPING UP? (Jay Guthrie, Club President)

The Breakers are building the next generation of senior players with a view to junior development. A host of retiring players have paved the way for our juniors to build into solid senior footballers across both our senior men’s and women’s teams.

We’ve launched our new “Breakers Our Community Our Responsibility” program which is our club giving back to the community through various activities and initiatives run by our committee and backed up by the players and supporters. We’ve also designed our new Indigenous jerseys and have created a painting with a story and connection to country.

We’ve had some great new youthful female football members join a committee and now have a strong team of 12.

HOW IS PRE-SEASON GOING?

We’ve had some really encouraging numbers at pre-season, getting around 30/40 per session. Although quite disrupted due to the weather we’ve continued to look at alternative activities if grounds have been closed, including beach training and gym sessions.

MEN’S TEAM PROFILE

“It’s no secret we have lost some talent from last year’s premiership side in the off season but the new players we have gained and the ones we have developed will add just as much spark and class to our side in 2020. These new guys are hungry for success and that has really rejuvenated us all.” Tyrone Jones, Co-Captain.

“Its such an honour to be co-captain of such a great club. I’d rather be the one doing 4 x 40s at training then the blokes sitting at home watching Married at First Sight! 2020 is looking very bright for us and I can’t wait to run out in round 1 with the boys.” Aidan Wallace, Co-Captain.

WHO’S LIGHTING UP PRE-SEASON/WHO’S ONE TO WATCH?

Royce Close has come back this pre-season in better shape than ever and has been training hard. We expect a very bold showing from him this year. He is really leading by example and we are loving it.

We’ve also seen a big improvement in Nick Stanlan-Velt’s fitness this pre-season, he’s working hard at it on the training track and is hungry to get back to back flags.

BIG INS

• Jake Hayes (Ballina)
• Rohan Armstrong (AFL Northern Territory)
• Michael McMahon (SFNL Murrumbeena Lions)
• Ceb Isherwood (South Coast Football League)
• Harold Thompson (Kempsey)

BIG OUTS

• Ben Gibbeson (Gold Coast)
• Shaydan Close (Gold Coast)
• Jarryd Burow (Sydney)
• Shannon Burow (Northern Beaches)
• Chris Frangos (Northern Beaches)
• Liam Paige (retired)

WOMEN’S TEAM PROFILE

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances we didn’t take at all. I believe we are better again from the experiences and heart break of last season and that will drive us this year. Our training numbers have been great and I love the commitment being put in by our girls.” Katika Adams, Captain.

WHO’S LIGHTING UP PRE-SEASON/WHO’S ONE TO WATCH?

Former umpire Amanda Guthrie has been excellent at training and she will be a one to watch in her first season as a player.

Young Jaimee O’Connell hasn’t missed a session and should add some goals to our forward line.

BIG INS

• Emily Pavey (Basketball)
• Jaimee O’Connell (Breakers Youth Girls)
• Amanda Guthrie (Umpiring)
• Nicole Morgan (return from injury)

BIG OUTS

• Emily Conlan  (Newcastle Uni)

The Coffs Harbour Breakers can be contacted at coffsharbourbreakers@yahoo.com if you would like to connect with the club.