Former Halls Head Lightning captain Adam Boone will look to steer the club into what he believes is a bright future as the league side’s new head coach in 2018.
Boone will take over the reins from Clayton Falkingham as a player/coach, returning to the club after a stint as its league captain in 2011 and 2012.
He steps into his first head coaching post with a wealth of playing experience under his belt, having spent time at Peel Thunder from 2006-2010, before moving to play in Queensland for a number of years.
Boone spent the 2017 season helping the Harvey Bulls to a preliminary final appearance in the South West Football League.
But it’s the future the new coach will concern himself with at Halls Head, as he looks to spearhead improvement following a 2017 that produced just two wins from 18 games.
Boone said he would look to the club’s locals, particularly their talented youth, to help them push back into the Peel Football and Netball League top five.
“I’m really excited to be taking up my first job as a head coach with the club that I captained,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to the boys and I’ve got a really good feeling about this group – everyone seems to have bought in to the team and is really invested.
“The other night we went for an impromptu pre-season run, nothing compulsory, and 20 blokes showed up which tells us straight away they want to improve.
“The colts were a top four team last year and we have something like 550 juniors, so we’ve got some great kids coming through, and now we’ll look to develop them into bigger roles within the league side.”
Halls Head has also appointed new president Brett Armitage as they look to build a strong culture around the club, while Nigel Wilson will take over as the new colts coach.
Vice president Mick Lally said the club was taking huge steps forward in its development off the field.
“Our senior committee has increased from five people to 12, and our seven-man management is full for the first time a long time, so we’re really confident with the direction the club is heading in,” he said.
“We have plans to upgrade our facilities and a lot of our players are really helping out off the field, so it’s a good environment to be a part of.”
The club will be holding a meet the coaches and Christmas event at the Oceanic Bar and Grill on Sunday, December 10 at 2.30pm with all players and partners welcome.
Their pre-season will officially start on Wednesday, January 10 at Peelwood South.