Davis has a wealth of senior level experience, having coached CR United’s division one women’s side this season and the division one men the year before.

The Wollongong export also mentored representative teams in the Illawarra region and Wagga for a number of years.

Whilst he’s no stranger to the coaching caper, Davis admitted this will be his biggest challenge yet.

“This is the first time in a season-long competition, so it’s pretty exciting,” Davis said.

“Usually I’d do this sort of level for a weekend and you might train for three weeks.

“I think I’ll be alright at the start, but I’ve just got to keep motivated and keep it interesting.

“I need to make sure training is good for everyone and keep everyone engaged.”

The Spitfires women finished seventh in their return to the Canberra-based Capital League this year, but Davis is confident he can help the side take the next step.

“The skill level and talent is very strong in Albury-Wodonga,” he said.

“For me, coming from a city-based club in Wollongong, I’d like to think I can bring a bit of structure to the side.

“If we can combine the skill and talent we have already with a bit of structure, hopefully that will mix in pretty well together.

“It’s a bit higher competition, so the players will be more committed and switched on because it’s a stronger league,” he said.

“I’ve seen a few games and there’s a couple of United girls in the squad.

“The first pre-season session will be more getting to the know them, seeing how they go and what skills they can bring to the team.

“I’ll be working a lot with the senior girls and it will be a big learning curve at the start, but it will be good.”

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Davis aims to continue to foundations laid by outgoing mentor Jerry Sutherland and promote the region’s young talent.

“We definitely need balance, but the youth is the future,” he said.

“There’s quite a lot of junior state players around, so it’s about giving them an opportunity.

“Whether that’s playing week-to-week or even just training and getting some experience with a couple of games.

“Hopefully we’ll get most of the girls from last year back on board.

“A few of the younger girls are obviously a year older now and might be able to force their way back in.”

Davis is yet to confirm whether he will commit to coaching at CR United again next season, with the Spitfires now his priority.

The squad will commence pre-season training in January, with the primary focus on fitness, before ramping up skills work in February.

Albury Hockey Centre may also play host to a pre-season tournament with visiting teams from Canberra and Melbourne.