Matt Lantry has re-signed at Wests for next season but is already looking beyond that.
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The Bolwarra Heights 34-year-old agreed to terms for a third campaign with the Rosellas earlier this week, but can see the talent coming through the club’s junior “nursery”.
“By 2021 we want 75 per cent of our first grade side being local juniors,” Lantry told the Newcastle Herald.
“Our 13s, 14s, 15s and 17s all won division one grand finals last year and the 16s finished third. Plus our 19s are undefeated this season.
“We have quite the junior nursery there and it’s important to tap into that. It’s an important period for the club the next two to five years.
“I want to be part of that. Not just now, but staying on to coach longer term and seeing that all develop.”
Lantry, who put pen to paper on Monday, said signing the one-year deal now gave all involved at the Rosellas “security” on the run home to next month’s finals.
Fifth-placed Wests, the 2017 minor premiers later beaten in the decider, visit Kurri in a key catch-up game on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the Newcastle Rugby League coaching ranks and Lakes have started to receive applications for next season after recently granting Todd Edwards a release from the second year of his contract on compassionate grounds. Cessnock, Kurri and Maitland have yet to officially make appointments for 2019 while Central were in talks with Phil Williams to replace outgoing mentor Craig Miller. Ben Cross (Souths) and Adam Bettridge (Macquarie) remain in charge.
