Gavin Niclasen hasn’t taken long to make an impact at Deer Park Bowls Club.
After taking over as head coach in the off-season, early indications are he has the magic touch the Parkers need.
In round two of the pennant season, Deer Park went a perfect 5-0, with all division sides winning their fixtures.
The results were a clear indication to opposition sides that the Parkers have lost nothing in the off-season and will be one of the clubs to watch again come the season’s business end.
“To get a day of results like that, I think, is very important,” Niclasen said. “We’ve touched a bit of success now and it’s always pleasing. It’s not easy to get five sides up for a win in any given week, but it’s very exciting to be able to do it.”
Niclasen joins Deer Park with a wealth of experience under his belt. He has been in coaching roles for 20 years, most recently at Whittlesea Bowls Club.
With Deer Park’s top side looming as one of the main contenders for a promotion into pennant’s Premier Division, Niclasen is looking forward to the challenge of helping the club reach the next level.
“Deer Park has a lot of potential in terms of their players and the way the club is structured, particularly in that number one side,” he said.
“Premier division is an exciting prospect. I think we can do it this year. I think we have the players.”
Deer Park is coming off a rollercoaster 2014-15 season during which the Parkers looked to be on their way to premiership glory – until they suffered a shock loss in the semi-finals to Mitcham.
After doing so much right throughout the home and away season, Niclasen believes a revamped training program will help the club tweek the final adjustments it needs.
“Prior to the season, we sat down and we all spoke about the disappointment that we had last year in losing the final to Mitcham,” he said.
“We got close, but it’s just the little bit of extra commitment that we’re looking for from the players this year. It’s only a slight improvement that we have to make.
“With that, we are pretty confident we can go all the way this year.”
The club’s division 1 side continued its strong start to the season, defeating Altona by 15 shots on Saturday.
