FORMER Launceston premiership defender Gary Shipton is looking forward to using his State League experience and knowledge to lift NTFA club Bracknell up the ladder next season.
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Shipton, a three-time premiership and 245-veteran with the Blues, has taken on his first senior coaching role with the Redlegs since retiring from the TSL at the end of the 2014 season.
"I'm excited about coaching and taking on a new challenge," Shipton said.
"I think that I can bring something to the club and draw on my experience at State League level over the years to help the younger fellows.
"I've played under some good coaches in Adam Sanders, Anthony Taylor and Scott Stephens at Launceston and hopefully I can take a bit from each of them."
Shipton will have some experienced campaigners in Josh Adams and Mathew Bosworth to help him out where possible along with Cameron Bugg who will coach the reserves and Kade Mulder, the under 19s.
"Our aim is to make finals after finishing third from the bottom this season and we will be in a rebuilding phase," Shipton said.
"We're still talking to some players and new players are welcome but it's more about the players we've got and developing them further."
Bosworth won his seventh club best and fairest award this season which is a club record and is pulling on the boots again next season under Shipton.
The 35-year-old veteran has played about 450 club games since starting as a 13-year-old and has racked up around 350 senior games after debuting as a 15-year-old in 1995.
"It is pretty significant winning seven best and fairests and an honour and privilege to do it with the one club," Bosworth said.
"The plan is to go around again if the body holds up and it is a good move to get Shippy to bring some new ideas, freshness and professionalism to the club."