"WE WANT to be competitive against the top three teams on the field and be the sort of club people want to play for off the field."
They're the simple goals new North Coffs coach Darren Funston has for his team in 2014.
Now in his 10th year at the club, 'Freddy' wants to see the club return to being one of the most respected clubs in the AFL North Coast competition.
Last year, the Kangaroos recorded their worst on field results since 1998 but Funston doesn't believe the season was a dead loss.
"I wouldn't say that it was the worst year the club's ever had like some have, I would say that we played a lot of kids," he said.
"Obviously with kids there's going to be some of heartache along the way. Now that they've had some experience, we should be able to start turning that around."
The bulk of the senior team will again be made up of young players but Funston warns opposition clubs this means they better be prepared to get fit over summer to try and outrun a North Coffs team this year.
With Tim Joseph by his side as the senior side's assistant coach to work with the emerging group Funston, who has held the senior coaching position at the club in the past, is thrilled young players such as Jack Campbell, Darby Booth, Jayden Wilson and last year's under-18s best & fairest winner Mitch Hall are all keen to be a part of the senior action next season.
With four or five older players also signing on, the core of the North Coffs team this year will be in the 19-28 year bracket.
Declaring it will field teams in all three grades next year, the Kangaroos are looking forward with plenty of positivity.
"You've only got to look at the AGM we had when there was 35 people go that, I don't think that's ever happened in the history of the club," the new coach said.
"Everyone has jumped back on board and we'll hopefully point the club back in the right direction."
Last Modified on 06/12/2013 14:08