Drouin appoints next coach

Drouin have officially appointed their new senior coach for the 2023 season.

Brent Clinnick will be taking the reins from current coach Jordan Kingi after this year, bringing a wealth of experience with him.

Clinnick was offered the role by the club after Kingi informed them he was stepping down from the position to allow him to give a greater focus to his on-field performance.

For the past three years, Clinnick has been an senior assistant at Phillip Island, where he helped guide the club to consecutive premierships and a minor premiership in 2021's shortened season. He has been a strong factor in creating a strong winning culture at the club.

Prior to that, Clinnick had involvement in the development program at the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL as well as senior coaching stints at both Devon Meadows and Poowong. Additionally, he has a strong history with the mentorship of younger players, having helped coach the West Gippsland under 18 Interleague side last year.

Kingi will remain with the club as an assistant after five years in the senior role, during which he successfully helped navigate the club through some tough years due to COVID restrictions.

Drouin Football Netball Club president Chris Soumilas said the thing that stood out the most about Clinnick were his communication skills.

"The thing that stood out from all the people I spoke to was that he's a great communicator and a great mentor to a lot of people," Soumilas said.

"With Brent not only are we getting a good coach, we're getting a great person too."

Soumilas said despite the challenges the senior side had faced this year, the future looked bright with the youth the club was bringing through.

"We've got some great kids bubbling under the surface, we believe if we can retain them we'll be a strong side for the next few years."