As the Lizards start preparations for the 2023 Proten Cup, Shaun Lyons was happy to have Kye Longford back on board as the men’s coach.

Longford guided the Lizards to a drought-breaking premiership in 2022, and with a good list at his disposal, Narrandera are expected to be just as strong in 2023.

“Kye has jumped on board as captain/coach again, which is really good for the club, and we are happy to see him coming back,” Lyons said

“He did an awesome job and got the best out of the boys.”

The Lizards could be without premiership-winning coach Owen James.

James, who guided the Lizards women to a Proten Cup grand final win last season, is looking to take a backwards step, meaning Lyons and the Narrandera Lizards committee are keeping their options open.

“Owen did a terrific job,” Lyons said.

“We gave him the option to coach, and we wanted him to go back-to-back with the girls because he had a good relationship with them and got the best out of them.

“Unfortunately for us, he is retired and wants to do a bit of travelling. The offer is still there if he wants to do it, and we’d like him to do it, but we will have to start looking for a new coach soon.”