WINGHAM Tigers hope to sign a new coach for the 2016 Group Three Rugby League season within days following confirmation that Tye Ingebrigtsen will be staying with Queensland club Hervey Bay.
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The Tigers announced in July that the 24-year-old utility back would be taking the reins for 2016. Ingebrigtsen told the Times that he was looking forward to the move south. He said among the reasons for the shift was that Wingham is closer to Goulburn, his partner's home town. He was also keen to coach in NSW Country after playing all his previous football in Queensland, including a stint in the Queensland Cup.
However, since then Ingebrigtsen has taken Hervey Bay to the grand final and the minor premiership. Last year the club finished last. This was Ingebrigtsen's first coaching appointment.
Rumours that he wouldn't be linking with Wingham have been rife for more than a month, although the club executive has straight batted all inquiries. However Wingham treasurer Craig Martin yesterday confirmed that the Tigers are on the lookout for another coach.
"Tye told us that he wasn't prepared to make the shift at this stage,'' Martin said, adding that he believes Ingebrightsen may have been offered further financial inducement to stay with Hervey Bay.
Ingebrigtsen had previously indicated he'd be bringing at least one more player with him to Wingham. The Tigers had also organised accommodation for Ingebrigtsen as well as employment.
This is the second year the club has had to change first grade coaches. Matt Bartlett initially agreed to captain-coach Wingham for the 2015 campaign, however, he was forced to withdraw because of a change in employment. Bartlett, a Wingham junior, lives in Newcastle. Stu Baker took over from Bartlett and guided the Tigers to the elimination semi-final. Baker has said previously he is not interested in the job for next year.
Martin said the Wingham committee has moved on and will now concentrate on finding a replacement for Ingbrigtsen and he added that interviews have already started. He said the club is confident of making an announcement within 10 to 12 days. He added the Tigers are talking to three possible candiates - two from outside this area and one from within Group Three.
However, Martin said that former Old Bar captain-coach Danny Russell isn't on the club's radar as a replacement for Ingebrigtsen. He added the club is speaking to Russell and hopes to sign the representative halfback as a player.
"Danny's not interested in coaching,'' Martin said.
Old Bar and Taree City are also understood to be also chasing Russell's signature.
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that Group Three premiers Port Macquarie have won the Clayton Cup. This is awarded to the most successful club in the Country Rugby League.
Port lost just one match on the way to winning this year's premiership.
The Sharks are the fourth Group Three club to be awarded the cup following Forster-Tuncurry (1995/95), Taree City (2001) and Wauchope (2013).