An experienced coaching line-up has been put at the helm of Northern zone teams, as preparations for the inaugural New Zealand Rugby League National Zonal Competition get under way. Kaitaia's Jim Larkin, along with Auckland's Herman David and Revell Neal, will take charge of the 15s, 17s and premier teams respectively,in the national competition which kicks off on August 28. Northern zone general manager Rob Wakelin said the calibre of applicants was extremely high. "We have confidence the coaches selected have the right skills, attitude and ambition to lead our teams in the inaugural zone competition," he said. "The raw talent within the Northern Region is enormous and as the NZRL Game Plan starts to have an impact, this region will become a nursery of future rugby league stars under the guidance of the country's most promising coaches." With extensive representative coaching experience, particularly among age group players, Larkin was an ideal candidate for the 15s side, where it was hoped future talent would be untapped within Northland. Larkin has been a selector for the NZ under-18 side and is currently involved with the NZ Maori team. Assisting Larkin will be Mike Heke, who recently made the move from player to coach after huge success with the Hibiscus Coast Raiders. Heke has also represented Ngapuhi at representative Maori tournaments.
Over 10 years of coaching experience at both club and representative level has served David well and made him the prime candidate for the 17s coaching role. He has previously coached and developed Auckland and North Harbour under-18 teams and has moved his way up the grades, laying an ideal foundation for this opportunity, Wakelin said. At premier level, Neal will lead Northern into the new competition. Neal is another who has worked his way up the ladder as a coach and had success at both club and representative level. This is Neal's first opportunity at premier representative football, and the Northern zone predicts his hunger and ambition will rub off on the squad, the general manager said. Trials commence next weekend.
