Leach, 55, is of Ngati Kanohi descent and is a self-employed father of five. He was a midfield back for the Gisborne Boys’ High School second 15 and played on the left wing for YMP at under-21 and premier level, before switching codes to rugby league — with the Paikea Whalers — in the mid-1980s.
“Colin Skudder, who’s taking our forwards this season, got hold of me just before Christmas to see if I was interested in coaching the prems, and it went from there,” Leach said.
“YMP had a good team last year, made the grand final, and now I’ll give these talented young players my support.
“Alan Hogarth is our trainer, Remus and Claudia Maaka are our managers, and Justine Skudder is our statistician. All are huge assets.
“Hogie’s got high standards and we had 30-plus humming along from January 7 to March 25. I’m looking forward to putting them through their paces at training.”
YMP await the outcome of an alert-level announcement on Monday, with a view to training twice a week.
Niko Lauiti played second five-eighth for the Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 last year and deputised as their captain as required. He he and another former Boys’ High player — skilful first-five Austin Brown — feature in a promising intake.
Brown’s experience with 2019 Taranaki premier grade champions Spotswood United will stand him in good stead. He can also kick goals.
Fullback Andrew Tauatevalu, a High School Old Boys man last year and a lethal long-range threat given space, will play for YMP this season.
In terms of playing style, YMP want to field a mobile forward pack with the ability to be physical, while playing a quick, positive brand of rugby.
Hooker Shayde Skudder will again captain YMP and is greatly respected by the incoming head coach.
“Shayde’s a real leader; he fronts up,” Leach said.
“He’s proud to play for YMP — a club man through and through — he’s been training hard, and he’s made sacrifices.”
