flickr.com/thebusybrain

THE Northern Storm has been on the verge of bigger things in North Coast Football's top flight for a couple of seasons now without actually fulfilling their potential.

Club president Don Riley believes that's about to change after signing Rob Harbour as the men's 1st division coach for 2009.

Last year Harbour almost led Boambee to a premiership and now the Storm is hoping he can weave a similar magic with them.

“I reckon Rob will bring a lot of experience and I guess an injection of new energy with his enthusiasm and professionalism,” Riley said.

“It's what helped Boambee get to where they did last year.

“We want to try and get into the top four again. We slipped a little bit last year but that's where we want to be.”

Harbour says that he can't wait for the new season to begin.

“It's a new challenge and I think it will be an interesting season with the change,” he said.

“I'm quietly confident we'll do well but I'm not shouting that from the rooftops.”

The new coach believes that getting plenty of points early in the season will be a big goal for his team.

“In the past this team has had a slow start to the season and it's brought about their downfall,” he explained.

“So we really want to hit the ground running this year.”

Harbour won't be a complete stranger in his new surroundings as fellow former Boambee man Rob Manning is coming to Korora to coach the women's team and there are a few Eagles girls who will now don the white and blue of the Storm.

“The influx of the new girls should strengthen the squad and I think the improvement will come from there,” Manning said.