THE search will continue for a new Bathurst Panthers league tag coach after the position closed on Monday last week.
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The search for a suitable replacement for exiting coach Dave Elvy has dragged on so long that the Panthers look unlikely to contest the Western Challenge League Tag Carnival at Canowindra in March.
The Panthers league tag team have become arguably the most dominant Group 10 side over recent times, winning two premierships and suffering just the one defeat over the past two seasons.
Elvy played a huge role in getting the team into that strong position, but he decided he was unable to juggle coaching duties with his role as an NRL development officer for 2015.
Panthers president Dennis Comer-ford said the club have time and options.
“At this point in time it’s nothing too concerning and we’ve got time up our sleeve,” he said.
We’ve got other options, some other things in mind that we might pursue.
“We’ve got someone to approach to see if he’s interested.
“There’s even the possibility that one of our girls could be a captain-coach.
“With Dave’s employment as an NRL development officer it means he has to travel a fair bit – out of town to visit schools and such. Because of that he couldn’t feel that he could concentrate on that and coaching.
“I still think he wants to remain involved in some way and I’m sure he will be.”
Elvy saw out 2014 coaching the team to their second straight Group 10 league tag title, despite obtaining his development officer position midway through the season.
The Western Challenge League Tag Carnival is one piece of silverware that the Panthers team haven’t taken – and it appears, at this stage, that won’t change.
“At this stage it looks unlikely we’d go. We will just be focusing on the competitive side of things as opposed to the carnivals,” Comer-ford said.
“Getting things organised still at the moment means we would be leaving things a little too late to go.
“They’ve proved to be a very good side.
“If they can keep the same group of players there then there’s no reason they can’t defend their title.”
Meanwhile, St Pat’s are looking more certain to participate in the Canowindra competition.
Pat’s won the pre-season Challenge in 2012, while Orange CYMS and Hawks have taken out the two latest editions.
“I’d say we’ll be going. The girls will see out their touch football commitments and then probably resume their league tag around late February,” coach Mick Armstrong said.
