The Cowra Eagles will have a man with an abundance of rugby knowledge and coaching experience at the helm next season after Dave Oliver was recently appointed the new first grade head coach.
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Oliver has spent the majority of his life combining work in the hospitality industry with coaching and playing rugby union and that won't change back "where it all began" as he juggles both managing the Imperial Hotel and coaching the Eagles in the Blowes Clothing Cup.
He comes back to Cowra after stints in Sydney, where he was heavily involved with Eastern Suburbs rugby club, Ireland, and most recently Perth and admits he is excited to bring his style of coaching to the Cowra Eagles.
"Rugby is a basic game, if we've got a group of people that want to work together and work for each other the rugby will come naturally.
"We'll be all about having a really strong club culture and some good core rugby skills and the boys will learn to play the game that comes naturally to them."
As well as a new head coach the Eagles are introducing the Senior Rugby Program which pits together the firsts, seconds and colts players giving them access to the entire clubs coaching staff. Oliver believes the program is a step in the right direction and a part of preparing the club for a successful year.
"A lot of factors go into a good season," he said.
"There are things we can't control but I think the things we can control through our coaching staff, player pool and strong recruitment will go a long way to building success and that's what we are working hard on now."
The Eagles had their first run-around in the lead up to the 2015 season on Tuesday night and while Oliver admitted he was impressed with what the Eagles had on offer he did not rule out the chance of signing new players.
"It's a very, very strong player pool," he said.
"We've got experienced players and a really good mix of young guys coming through.
"But the reality of the situation is in rugby programs, particularly regional areas, you do need to beef up your squad where it needs strengthening.
"Rugby is an international sport, there has always been opportunity for Cowra boys to go to Sydney or overseas and there is opportunities for international players to join our club."
2015 will see Oliver joined by Troy Hayes, Gordon Refshauge, Warren Petty, Steve Johnstone, Phil Apps (Colts) and Colin Kilby (Colts) in the Senior Rugby coaching staff.
With Oliver's family having a strong history with the Eagles club, the new coach said it is shaping up as a special year for him.
"Dad is the current patron of the Cowra Rugby Club and he played a lot of rugby for Cowra and coached Cowra so it's a pretty proud moment for me having my father's background with the club," he said.
