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Season starts with new players

Woy Woy Rugby League Football Club commences its defence of the Central Coast "Carlton Premiership" and the CRL State Challenge Cup with a blend of youth and experience.

The 2001 Premiership decider saw the departure of many of the Woy Woy senior squad.

The squad won three of the last four First Grade Premierships as well as numerous Reserve and Under 19 titles.

The club's losses include "Captain" Jason Carpenter, who has gone to Britain to pursue further teaching and league experience.

Hayden Berry's work and family commitments have put a temporary hold on his playing future.

Nathan Grey is off to Europe to travel and play in France.

Shane Ward and Scott Wilesmith both plan to test their skills with North Sydney.

Brent Byrne and Shannon Keats will return to the Manly Peninsula.

Mark Mains and Jarrod Brennan are moving to the Umina Bunnies and the retirements of Craig Halden, Andrew Jackson, Justin Louis, Sean Dickson, Ian Butt and Mick Martin will leave a large hole to fill.

Young players at the club will be joined by the four experienced signings from Wyong Roos, who have chosen to recharge their playing futures with the Roosters.

The club has also to contend with the loss of many of its juniors who have been given their opportunity to showcase their talents in the junior representative fixtures of the NRL teams.

Robert Quitadamo (Souths), Troy McLellan, Ciaran Williamson, Shane Wilson (Easts), Mitchell Finnigan (Manly), Shannon Stuart and Stephen Defries (Norths) have the opportunity to further their careers at a higher level.

First Grade coach Tony Clarke will employ new signings Josh White, Shane Wilson, Dean Hutchison and Mick Burley to help further develop the talents of youngsters Chad Trudgett, Adrian Overton, Jason Stuart, Michael Griffin and Lee Browne, all members of the victorious 2001 Under-19 Premiers.

Adam King, Paul Haime, Daniel King, Layne Martin and Stuart Farrant will be vying for top grade selections along with established players such as Grant Stuart, Adam Moore, Jade Mason, Evan Cochrane, Dave Maryska, Duncan Smith, Elton Connors and Jonathan Vatubua.

Matthew Sharman, who coached the Under-17s to within a minute of a final appearance in 2001, has been given control of the Reserve grade team for 2002.

Craig Thomas, the new boy on the block at Woy Woy who has a wealth of experience in Central Coast football from Umina to Wyong, will control the Under-19 team, which is expected to continue to represent the club to a high standard.

Rick Napier, who has represented the Peninsula for many years with distinction as a player and coach, has turned in the boots to concentrate on the development of the local youth and will coach the Under-17s.

Richard Smithers, February 1