Powerful present for birthday: Kenna to Power

BEN Kenna's 30th birthday presents yesterday included an appointment as Kolora-Noorat playing coach.Power president Gerard Justin announced Kenna as the replacement for playing coach Daniel Beard, who stepped down after the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League grand final last month.Kenna boasts outstanding premiership credentials, which could be the key ingredient in guiding Kolora-Noorat to its first WDFNL flag.It was runner-up to Timboon Demons on September 6.Kenna played in 1995, '96 and '01 premierships with Kolora before contributing to 2004, '05 and '08 premierships in the Hampden league with Terang Mortlake.Justin described the Power's new coach as a quality midfielder and person."We approached him," he said. "He was probably our first choice."It's just a good family connection with the club."He's had good success at Terang Mortlake and played under some good coaches. He just brings a wealth of knowledge."Kenna, who runs a dairy farm midway between Terang and Noorat, said his first coaching appointment was a new challenge and something he was keen to take on."I've thought about it before but not seriously," he said."I'd never desperately wanted to coach but I always had it in the back of my mind."I've had some good coaches over the last 10 years or so. You take a little bit from all of them. You have your own ideas too about how you want to do things."Kenna was a member of the Terang Mortlake leadership group for five seasons, the last two as vice-captain.His brothers Luke, Nick and Will also played with the Bloods last season.Nick Kenna declined to speculate on the likelihood they may follow him to Noorat Recreation Reserve, other than by saying he would talk to his siblings.He also plans to touch base with existing Kolora-Noorat players during the next few weeks."I'm keen to keep up the momentum they got going this year," Kenna said.Justin said the Power's intention was to retain its 2008 playing list before striving to go one better.He said there was a "very strong chance" Beard would stay involved.