Allan Nugent announced as head coach of Kempsey Cannonballs

He's won premierships as a player and coach and will be looking to bring that knowledge to the first grade squad in 2021 as head coach.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union season was cancelled but it's all steam ahead this year.

Nugent was named to coach the side last year as well but will now get the opportunity to take the reins fully.

The history with Nugent and the Cannonballs goes back a long way.

He was present at the inaugural Kempsey Rugby Union Club meeting back in 1975 when the club played their first season in the Mid North Coast competition.

Nugent was apart of the 1977 premiership winning side, coached by Garry Munday.

In 1992 and 1993 he was head coach of the back-to-back premiership winning sides and coached the 2002 team that were declared joint-premiers.

The last time Nugent coached the first grade squad was back in 2008 or 2009, so long ago he couldn't quite recall the specific year.

After that final season he ventured overseas, embarking on a European rugby union coaching career.

"I left for Berlin in 2009, coached there until 2012 and then in Hannover from 2013 to 2016," he told the Argus.

"They used to refer to me as 'the man in the hat' because I'd wear my Akubra to matches."

After his time in Germany Nugent moved onto Austria in 2017 but had to cut his trip short and return home.

"During my time overseas I learnt that rugby is truly an international game and rugby people are incredibly welcoming wherever you go," Nugent said.

"A player's passion for the game and club is the same everywhere."

In 2019 he returned to the fold to coach the Cannonballs under 18s with James Lancaster and will now make the step up to the first grade squad.

"Our goal is to make the semi-finals and importantly, restore respect for the club in the zone and instill discipline in the squad on and off the field," Nugent added.

He takes over from Carl Thurgood who coached the side in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

A change at the top has also occurred in reserve grade with Joe Howe taking over from Matt 'Ranga' Scott.

Misimoa Tavete will continue his role as head coach of the ladies side after leading the team for the past two years.

Round one of the Upper Mid North Coast rugby union competition will start on April 24 with the Cannonballs hosting the SCU Marlins.

The annual Crescent Head 7's competition will be played on February 27 with all MNC clubs expected to take part.

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