Roosters start training

The Woy Woy Roosters have started official training for next season.

Training at Umina PCYC has started under the guidance of new head coach Shane Wilson and head trainer John Jewiss.

Initial strength and conditioning sessions will be followed with Sunday training during December.

In the new year, a solid pre-season program has been designed to prepare the squad for another arduous 22-game season.

Although finishing the 2003 season in second last place, the Roosters are confident the exposure, which the young squad gained during the year will prepare them for what is required at Jim Beam Cup level.

Missing from the squad for next season will be experienced players Adam Glover, Michael MacBain, Danny Swindells, Barney Haslett and Shane Ward.

The Roosters have gained made some off-season recruitments with six new experienced players.

With a view to having a balanced squad, the club has signed Chris Yates, Nathan Carr, Brett Lee and Brett Longstaff, all from the recently-disbanded Guilford Owls side.

They have also signed Andrew Hunter and Clint Flanagan, a deadly duo from Ourimbah who scored more than 40 tries between them in 2003.

"Both Yates and Hunter have played at NRL level with Wests and Manly respectively, and will provide the strike power the Roosters so sadly lacked in 2003," head coach Shane Wilson said.

The club was still in negotiations with an experienced half back, to complete the Roosters squad.

At the club's recent presentation evening, Jade Mason was named the club's 2003 "Player of the Year".

Mason, who will play his 100th First Grade game for the club next year, finished marginally ahead of fellow forward Adam Glover.

Other winners on the night included veteran forward Chris Barry (First Division), Shannon Stuart (Under 19s) and Nathan Scott (Under 17s), along with hard working gear manager Brian Byrnes, who was awarded the President's Trophy for outstanding service to the Roosters.

Rick Napier has been re-appointed as First Division coach.

Guy Johns will join the club as Under-19s coach.

Guy has an impressive record having coached successfully at junior level with Kincumber, Central Coast and North Sydney.

Former Roosters' first grader and premiership coach Greg Richardson will coach the Under-17s having coached the Central Coast Division Under-16s side to the championship this year.

Greg coached the Roosters Reserve Grade side to the 1994 premiership.

With inquiries, phone football manager Richard Smithers on 4342 3366.

The Woy Woy Rugby League Football Club is also seeking more players for next year.

For more details, contact Kaye McVicar on 4341 0764 or Richard Smithers on 4342 3366.

Peter Read, November 26