New coaching appointments part of a long-term strategy

The Warrnambool and District Cricket Association has guaranteed a nurturing transition period for its new representative coaches - Glenn Skinner and Ben Boyd - by appointing their predecessor, Ray Drew, chairman of selectors.Association president Robert Haberfield yesterday said Drew's lengthy involvement as a representative player and coach provided an experienced mentor for Dennington captain-coach Skinner and Russells Creek captain-coach Boyd.Haberfield announced Skinner's appointment as WDCA captain-coach and Boyd's as assistant coach.He said the association had taken a long-term view with the appointments."It's trying to establish a really well-qualified coaching package for the future," Haberfield said."Both are well on their way to level two accreditation and executive members had seen these two gentlemen conduct club cricket and handle themselves in all situations and were very impressed with their leadership skills."Skinner, 29, is in his second full season with Dennington after coaching Ballarat Cricket Association club Wendouree and Maryborough District Cricket Association club Carisbrook.He represented the BCA and the MDCA at Melbourne Country Week and last season played under Drew and captain Alister Stannard in the WDCA team.Skinner welcomed the joint coaching appointment, saying he was rapt to be working with Boyd."I think we'll complement each other," he said."I tend to be a bit relaxed and he's very professional."Skinner said his primary focus would be on teamwork and harmony."From my mind it will be more about the guys getting on together," he said."A lot of them will know what the (representative) procedure is."Drew, Skinner and Boyd will oversee WDCA senior teams to contest the Twenty20 Festival of Cricket in Hamilton on November 21 and 22, the Cross Border Cup in Mount Gambier on December 13 and a practice match with South West Cricket preceding Melbourne Country Week in February.