Ray handed job as head coach for next 2 seasons

Sports

By MICHAEL PHILIP
RABAUL Gurias have appointed former Kumul Francis Ray as coach for the next two Digicel Cup seasons as they look to snap a seven-year title drought.
New Guinea Islands Produce Agmark chief operating officer and franchise boss Steven Nightingale told The National yesterday that the Western Highlander was the best option available.“It gives the club stability over the next two seasons and allows the Gurias to build on it,” the former coach said.
“It is expected that he can take us back to the grand final and win a premiership within the next two seasons.
“There are a lot of expectations, but we believe he is the right person for the job.
“He has the full support of the franchise and sponsors here.”
Francis had worked closely with Kumuls boss and former Gurias head coach Michael Marum over the past two years, and had come highly recommended as head coach.
“Francis has shown in his short career as a coach that he can take teams to the finals,” the Gurias said of the former Mt Hagen Eagles mentor.
A veteran of the country’s premier rugby league competition, Ray played representative football with the Kumuls and Prime Minister’s 13.
The former centre had coached the Eagles before he a mentored Waghi Tumbe from 2018 to 2020.
“Ray’s appointment was done by our current coaching staff, including Marum,” Nightingale said.
“Marum and Ray have been working closely together since 2019 while at the Hunters, so there is already a relationship there.”
Meanwhile, the Agmark-sponsored Gurias will kick off their 2022 Digicel Cup preparations in February.