Three years at Whittlesea, as both a player and an assistant coach, is the perfect apprenticeship for Jim Atkins as he takes on the Eagles top job.
Atkins was announced the Eagles coach for next season on Wednesday. He replaces Brad Dean who took the side to the Northern Football League’s division 2 premiership last month.
Atkins said he was looking forward to the challenge of coaching the division 2 premiers, who will play in division 1 next season after being promoted.
“I’ve been here one year as a player [in the 2013 premiership side] and a further two years as an assistant coach,” Atkins said.
“Having been under Brad for the last two years I know where the club is going. It’s a big challenge, but the club is where we want to be, in division 1.
“We’ve learnt a few different things from the last time we were in that division.”
Atkins, who was formally co-coach of Kinglake, said that 90-95 per cent of this year’s playing squad would be back.
“We wanted to go back into division 1 with a young list and we have a good program going with the younger players.
“Our under-19s were premiers and under-17s also won their grand final so the future is bright.
“We are in discussions with players to top up the list a little.
“The challenge is to win enough games to stay up and keeping the morale of the list high, which I think we can do. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
