WESTERN Storm has reappointed Mitch Hills as its senior coach for the 2015 State League season.
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Club president Michelle Strickland announced the appointment yesterday and said that the Storm was pleased to have finalised negotiations for Hills to continue in the role.
``Obviously this year has been a fantastic achievement on the ground with Mitch taking the team to levels we never envisaged possible and for 2015 we couldn't be happier to have him confirmed and committed to the club,'' she said.
Hills said he was excited to be continuing in the role after a successful inaugural season in the TSL.
``We've had a really good start on-field, and it's good to get it out of the way now so there are no questions being asked later when we're trying to play finals' footy,'' he said.
``And we can start planning for next year with our coaching structure in place and start saving players.''
The initial goal of the new club was to make finals in its first season but with it sitting second on the ladder, Hills said there was no reason why the Storm could not take out this year's premiership.
Strickland said that Western Storm was continuing to work with one of its players, Darryn Thomas, who is facing deregulation for accruing 16 weeks' suspension, and this week was convicted on an assault charge.
``Obviously, it has an impact on the club but it is a matter that occurred before 2014,'' she said.
``During the course of this year, since Darryn has been with us, we've been working closely with him and supporting him to get his football at the highest level possible and to help him address some off-field issues.
``It's not something that has happened since he has been with us.''
Thomas has been playing in the TSL development league and played his first senior game for some time against Burnie last week.
``What we've been doing with Darryn over the past two or three months is a personal matter between him and the club,'' Strickland said.
``He is getting full support from the club and we intend to continue that support in terms of getting him back on track.''