Club president Roger Sweetman is ecstatic at the appointment of Lewis who is the son of Steve Lewis who has coached the club for the past three years.

“The club is extremely satisfied to have secured the services of Ryan Lewis as its senior coach,” Roger said.

Lewis is returning to the Yankalilla Football Club after spending the 2008 and 2009 seasons playing for the Ainslie Football Club in the Canberra League.

Lewis played his junior football with Yankalilla in his formative years and then had stints at Norwood and Port Adelaide Football Clubs in the SANFL.

“Ryan brings with him a wealth of football knowledge and believes that he will be able to build upon the solid foundation that exists within the Yankalilla Club, further develop the young talent and instill a winning culture at the club,” Roger added.

Lewis won the association ACT AFL medal in 2008 playing for Ainslie and is looking forward to the challenge of lifting the Tigers up the GSFL ladder and working with his father again.

“It will be a great experience, as I have been captain of the Ainslie Football Club and now I want to take it to the next level and coach,” Lewis said.

“Yank is my home club and I have a great passion for it and have a massive admiration for the people in the club like Stan Harding.

“I cannot wait to get into it and have not looked forward to the start of a football season for a long time.

“There will be a culture change at the club and I plan to instill the way I play and the way I have been brought up to play.

“The playing group need the desire to play or do not bother going out there.

“We need to work on our fitness and run out four quarters,” Lewis said.

Lewis looks forward to working with his Dad, Steve once again, as he will be an assistant coach, along with respected former player Bob Williss.

“The club is looking very professional off the field and our goal will be to be professional on it,” Lewis added.