AFTER a year to forget on the field, the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs are planning for more successful times after the appointed of their new committee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leading the charge to get the Dogs' bite back is 183-game Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks veteran David Hatch - who guided the club to the 2008 Group Seven first grade premiership.
"Prior to our AGM, Cheyanne [Hatch] pulled me aside and encouraged to run for president, as she thought I was the right man for the job," Hatch, who's been involved with the club since 1998, said.
"So for the good of my club - as we didn't agree with how it was run over the past two seasons, I put my hand up."
Joining Hatch, who also coached the club to a Group Seven WLT title in 2014, are Adam Tracey (vice-president), Jason Millard (junior vice-president), Cath Becker (secretary and treasurer), Leanne O'Brien (assistant treasurer) and Cheyanne Hatch (social media) - as well as general committee members Nigel Rogers, Greg Cassin, Owen Dredge, Paul Winshuttle, Brett Cox, Barry Cox and Natasha Tracey.
Related content: Great Scott: McLaurin voted in as new Group Seven president
Since the AGM, on November 4, Hatch and his board have met how they plan to return the Bill Andriske Oval club back to its former glory.
"Unfortunately, with how things went down last season, we lost a lot of support in the community - including sponsors," he said.
"We've taken all that on the chin but we are hoping, with this new committee full of long-time Bulldogs members and fresh ideas, the Ulladulla community will once again get around us.
"I have faith that we have the right people in the right positions to get the club back to where it should be.
"The Bulldogs are entrenched in the Ulladulla community's fabric and we'd love to get people back excited about the club - we have one of the best rugby league nurseries on the South Coast."
Related content: Hatch's Dolphins claim Oztag national title
At this stage, Hatch explains the Group Seven Rugby League club is looking at nominating a first grade, reserve grade and under 18s men's sides, as well as two women's league tag teams - with more than 30 players already signed up in the latter.
"We've lost more than 10 first graders from last season, and with no coach in place, we are starting from behind the eight ball a little for playing in the top flight next season," he said.
"We are essentially starting from scratch.
"Our main goal next year is consolidation and nurturing our young talent coming through the ranks.
"We need to build a sustainable club for the future, as the community deserves a successful one, on and off the field."
The club will also have an under 18s girls tackle team, that will play in the Illawarra Division Rugby League competition.