The coaching carousel within the Milleen Group Women’s Premiership continues to turn, with Lakes United wasting no time in signalling their intent to return as a dominant force.

It comes after the Seagulls announced Gary “Bomber” Jones as their head coach for the 2026 season.

Currently the Newcastle Knights Lisa Fiaola Cup mentor, he’ll take the reins at Cahill Oval and be assisted by Greg Hayes.

Former coach Troy Potts is also returning to the fold to support pre-season preparations while Jones fulfils his Knights’ commitments.

Lakes United was the underachiever of 2025, managing just one win from seven matches on its run toward the finals under the incumbent, Scott Morgan.

The Seagulls last victory came on 27 July against lowly-ranked South Newcastle, in what proved an uncharacteristic campaign for the historically strong club.

A legend of the Group 21 region, Jones is widely-regarded as one of the most influential coaches of junior female rugby league in the Hunter.

He also holds strong connections to the Belmont-based organisation, with daughters Evie and Matilda starring for Lakes United, the latter being a two-time premiership-winning captain.

WHAT JONES’ APPOINTMENT MEANS FOR LAKES UNITED

More than a simple coaching change, the arrival of Jones signals a genuine cultural reset at Cahill Oval.

Lakes United is clearly positioning this as a rebuilding phase grounded in accountability, discipline and renewed standards, with his reputation for structure and development expected to re-establish the foundations that once made the Seagulls a respected force in the competition.

At the heart of his appointment is a strong emphasis on youth.

Jones’ pedigree in the Lisa Fiaola Cup system points to a future-focused model that prioritises pathway alignment, skill progression and the nurturing of junior talent into consistent first-grade performers.

This represents a shift away from short-term fixes toward a sustainable framework that reconnects the club’s young base with its senior program.

There is also a clear intent to return Lakes United to annual grand  final contention.

The appointment sends a statement to players and the wider competition that the Seagulls are no longer content with mediocrity.

Expectations around defensive resilience, effort areas and football intelligence are set to rise, with Jones tasked with reigniting belief and competitiveness within a previously flat playing group.

Perhaps, most importantly, his arrival marks a reconnection with the club’s identity at Cahill Oval.

Once known for toughness, unity and resilience, Lakes United now has an opportunity to reassert its traditional values, rebuild its confidence and re-establish pride in the jumper through a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Elsewhere, Western Suburbs have made changes of their own, parting ways with Alan Strickland and welcoming back former Maitland Community Cup coach Josh Chislett.

A former lower-grade Rosellas player, he recorded two wins and one draw from six matches after taking over mid-season at the Pickers in 2025.

Central Newcastle will enter 2026 under the continued guidance of Michael Croker, who begins his third season in charge.

The Butcher Birds fell just 10 minutes short of a berth in the decider before succumbing to Maitland in the preliminary final, after a powerful surge through the back half of the season.

The club has also been active on the recruitment front.

South Newcastle and the Northern Hawks will retain their incumbent coaches, while premiership-winning mentor Russell Griggs will again aim for a third consecutive title with Maitland Pickers as the club continues its stranglehold on the competition.

In Community Cup developments, premiership-winning mentor Laurie Clifton has departed the Cessnock Goannas, with Gary Warburton returning to take charge.

However, it leads to a potential headache for the Women’s Participation Committee.

It’s understood the two-time back-to-back premiership-winning Goannas have signalled their intention to remain in Community Cup rather than step up to Premiership football once again.

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