mmg.com.au

Former Shepparton United mentor James Stokes will take the reins at Cricket Shepparton rival Old Students next season.

Students announced yesterday on Twitter that Stokes had committed to coaching the club for the next two years.

It also confirmed that Tatura captain-coach Daniel Coombs had joined the club.

Stokes stood down from the United role at season’s end citing the club needed to take another direction after winning six Haisman Shield games in his two seasons at the helm.

He said the Students role had eventuated in the past week.

‘‘It escalated after the United sides fell out of the finals (last weekend),’’ Stokes said.

He said the top job at Students was too good an opportunity to refuse.

‘‘The main attraction is their list,’’ he said.

‘‘They have got a great group of young blokes there that you can really build on in the next four, five, six seasons.

‘‘Then they have the old guys as well — Gino (Saracino), (Brent) Mathers, (Luke) McPhillamy and (Nick) Breslin — who are blokes you can build around.’’

Stokes said Students, who finished eighth with three wins, had underachieved this season.

‘‘With the guys they have got, I was a bit surprised with where they finished,’’ he said.

He said the recruitment of Coombs — which he played no part in — was a major boost.

‘‘That is a great coup for Old Students,’’ Stokes said.

‘‘I rate Dan very highly.

‘‘Not only is he a great cricketer, but he is a great young man as well.’’

Stokes said Ryan Boswell would continue as skipper, while he said any efforts to lure his nephews — Fire Brigade’s David and Paul Newman, to Chapman Oval would be done without his involvement.

‘‘David and Paul make their own decisions and I am not even sure if the club has spoken to them,’’ he said.

‘‘No doubt it would be great if we could get them, but I won’t be involved in any of the negotiations.’’

Newly elected Shepparton United president Steve Pinnuck said his club had ‘‘no comment’’ on Stokes’ move to Students.

Pinnuck said United was in the process of selecting a new playing coach.

He said the role had received a high level of interest, particularly from outside of Cricket Shepparton circles.