The Pumas finished the 2021 season eighth on the Mininera and District ladder with three wins from eleven matches.

The club recently revealed Ararat local and Navarre player Aiden Lee would be taking the reins as player-coach for season 2022.

Lee said it was "awesome" to be offered the role.

"Ross (Jackson) sent me a message out of the blue and asked if I was interested in a coaching position at Moyston-Willaura.

"The opportunity to coach was an offer I couldn't knock back," he said.

"The club has already been very welcoming and I can't thank them enough for giving me the chance at this gig, I'm keen to give it a red hot crack."

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Lee said the offer caught him by surprise.

"I didn't expect it," he said.

"I had to really think about leaving Navarre.

"I wasn't expecting to be playing anywhere else bar Navarre.

"All of my family is out at Navarre, which makes it harder to leave."

In 2006 Lee started his coaching journey as an 18 year old at Navarre, winning two premierships before moving to Great Western until they went into recession.

Lee then moved to the Ararat Rats where he coached the club's Under 17 side, leading them to a premiership.

He proceeded to re-joined Great Western, where he coached their reserves side for two years before rejoining Navarre at the conclusion at the beginning of the pandemic.

"I have always wanted to coach seniors, my experiences will help me for sure," Lee said.

"It's good that I have coached at a few clubs because it gives you a good scope on players and gives you a different perspective."

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Lee said the club will begin pre-season training on December 7 and will have a second session on December 14, which will be followed by a combined football and netball BBQ.

"We are going to have a couple runs before Christmas," he said.

"We are really trying to build our camaraderie and togetherness within the club.

"The more chances we get to do things together the better.

"I want to keep the good culture which has been built at the club, it gives off a family club vibe."

Lee said he has his sights set on a finals berth, however wants to ensure his players enjoy the season.

"We will aim to play finals," he said.

"Get a good number of teams on the park, enjoy the year and hopefully finish it off with a finals campaign."

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Moyston-Willaura has signed Chris Boyd as their head netball coach for next season.

In 2021 the Pumas finished third in C Grade, however did not enter an A and B Grade side.

Boyd said she thought she would "never coach again".

"I think she got me at a weak moment," she said.

"She (Kelly Evans) managed to talk me into it and I am still not quite sure how that happened.

"I have been friends with Kelly (Evans) for a while and she just asked if I could help out with the coaching side of things."

Boyd said enjoyment is the key to success.

"I just want to concentrate on the girls enjoying themselves, as it is important we get back to the court for the love of the game," she said

"We need to get the girls and kids back onto the court and back to their social life.

'I will try and impart a few skills and a bit of knowledge about the game to the girls.

"Moyston-Willaura is a great social club, hopefully I can contribute in that way as well."

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