The Examiner  believes Storm co-captain and South Launceston premiership captain Mitch Hills is in the running, with Strickland saying the club had two preferred options from within this state.

The State League's newest addition remains coachless after former South Launceston premiership coach Mitch Thorp ditched the Storm in late December, to take up a a two-year playing assistant coach role with SANFL club, Glenelg.

Stephens was chased hard by the Storm, before it was announced on Sunday that the Launceston legend would take over the helm of the Blues from Brennan Savage.

Strickland said her club hoped to unveil its inaugural coach ``in the very near future''.

``That was obviously one of our options we were looking at with Scott,'' she said.

``He wasn't our only candidate by any means, but I don't think it was any secret at that stage he was our preferred one.

``I won't go into who else we've talked too, but we have spoken to a couple of other people.''

Stephens pointed out the Western Storm's lack of facilities as a reason he declined the job and that it would be a challenge for anyone that takes on the coaching role.

Strickland said the club was in negotiations over access to facilities.

``Not to Aurora, because we have got that locked in for our home games,'' she saId.

``We are not like a Launceston or North Launceston that have clubrooms and an oval sorted out at the moment.''

Strickland said Western Storm players will resume preseason training on Monday.