Luke Wilkshire is the ideal person to take over the head coaching role at the Wollongong Wolves.
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After I decided to step down last week, it was important for the club to get someone who knows what the Wolves are all about.
Luke has that understanding. Since arriving at the club earlier this year, he has made a tremendous impact on and off the field.
His elite playing pedigree and experience obviously speaks for itself, both in Australia and internationally in some of the world’s biggest leagues.
He’s also got the respect of the playing group after suiting up alongside them throughout 2018.
Having someone like former English Premier League striker Michael Bridges as his assistant will no doubt be incredibly valuable as well.
Given our struggles hitting the back of the net this season, it can only be a positive to have someone of his goal scoring prowess on the coaching staff.
Their first job will obviously be recruitment.
With a number of players retiring or leaving the club, they will get the chance to build a new first grade squad while keeping a core group from last season.
It marks an exciting new era for the club. Luke’s arrival came just days before news that Usain Bolt might be coming to the Illawarra with the Central Coast Mariners to face off against Wollongong.
To have the world’s best athlete in the Illawarra would be an opportunity unlike any other. While his football skills still need improvement, he will have another month of training with the Central Coast under his belt between now and the game.
There is no doubt he would pull a bumper crowd if he does eventually make the trip south.