RETURNING Port Fairy division one coach Aaron Williams is hoping to sail the Pirates back towards the top end of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association for 2018-19 and beyond.
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Williams, 29, who stepped down as the club’s mentor at the end of 2016-17 season due to work commitments, was confirmed as the senior coach for the upcoming season on Thursday.
The playing coach, who joined the club in 2011 and has played 100 games, scoring 3000 runs (average 28.85) and claiming 142 dismissals as a wicket keeper-batsman, had two goals driving his return to the top job.
“We have a good group of players and we just want to strive to get better after we missed finals last season,” he said.
“We want to be competitive again and get back up into finals and hopefully we can blood some youth through the season as well.”
Williams, who will be supported by captain-assistant coach Jordan Graham, said there was a fresh feeling around Avery’s Paddock, with the appointment of a new club president.
“There is a new structure and new look at the club, which is pretty exciting,” he said. “We have a new club president in Matt Dempsey, and the committee has changed a little and there is also a lot of junior development and we have girls cricket side too.
“The club is heading in the right direction and I think it’s a good chance to keep it moving forward.”
Williams said he would still feature in the Pirates’ first XI but that he would be relinquishing the wicket-keeping duties to up-and-coming star Max Green.
The Pirates also recently announced star Sri Lankan import Jason Perera was returning for a third season.
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