Dan Baker and Evan Clarke announced as Kempsey Saints CPL coaches

The green and white's have appointed two former players, Dan Baker and Evan Clarke, to take charge of the coaching reins for the Coastal Premier League first and reserve grade sides as preparations ramp up for the 2021 season.

Clarke and Baker played all their junior football at the Saints with both starting their careers in the under 6s.

In a COVID interrupted 2020 season, Baker perfected his golf swing while Clarke was apart of the Macleay Valley Rangers first grade side.

Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Macleay Argus newsletter here.

The two 23-year-old's are now looking to put all their focus into the Saints.

"It feels good to be back," Clarke told the Argus.

"Our goal will be to make finals and see what happens from there," both coaches said.

"We're optimistic and excited at the opportunity and will look to play an attacking, passing focused brand of football."

This will mark both mens first venture into coaching and both will be hitting the park as well as coaching the sides.

Baker said he was looking to embrace the challenges that will come with his first season as a coach.

"The training side of things will probably be the biggest challenge in terms of running a session," he said.

"I'm confident with game day situations and learning together will hopefully make things easier."

Saints said they expect a similar pool of players to be available in 2021 with around four of five past players to return or be new to the club.

President Luke Flanagan was excited by the appointment with the return of juniors fitting in perfectly to the club's 50-year anniversary.

"It's exciting, everyone is embracing these appointments and looking forward to the season,": he told the Argus.

"We held our AGM last week and the club was extremely enthusiastic about having these two take the helm.

"All the effort they've put into the club previously is coming to fruition and it's exciting times with a fresh and different approach.

"We'll be looking for them to keep going year after year and continue improving and progressing our CPL campaign."

Saints 2020 season saw the first grade side continue to improve as the season went on, winning two games and almost upsetting Rangers in round five of the CPL South before Macleay Valley ran away with it.

Flanagan said despite the lack of win's it was still a season of smiles.

"Last year was probably one of our most enjoyable seasons but next year is exciting and we're focused on being successful," he said.

"It'll be great to celebrate a club that's been apart of the community for 50 years and see people donning the green and white.

"We'll be planning events and a gala dinner with everyone dependent on the COVID situation."

Kempsey's AGM saw Flanagan elected as President, Jenny Miller Vice-President, Kevin Sinclair as Secretary and Jane Walsh in the Treasurer's role.

Committee members are Annabelle Sneddon, Amelia Tyne, Liana Tyne, Mitch Clarke, Sam Preston and Jesse Arnott.

Flanagan added the club are on a search for their women's coach.

"We're always looking to strengthen and promote our female program and the club embraces female football," he explained.

"The girls on the committee approached us and asked for a coach for next year and they deserve that after their work this season and coaching themselves."