Boyle heads a panel including 2016 coach Terence Rone, US import Terrell Turner, Maitland Basketball Association general manager Graeme Cotton and former women’s star Krista Wawzskowicz.

Rone will be Boyle’s assistant, Turner will coach the men’s youth team, Cotton will head the women’s division one team and Wawszkowicz will coach the new women’s youth league team along with another Mustangs favourite Nat Porter.

It will be Boyle’s third term as senior coach which included making the 2010 Waratah Champions League grand final and the play-offs in three of his four years.

Boyle said the club’s commitment to develop youth pathways, while remaining competitive and targeting the play-offs were important factors in his decision to take the job.

The return of 2010 skipper Josh Clifford, re-signing of Turner and the recruitment of a second import will add experience and class to the talented core of Maitland juniors.

“There were a lot of junior guys coming through last year and a fair few of them played a lot of minutes with us (champions league) as well,” Boyle said.

“When you look at the size, even younger players like Nick Scott, they are big enough to play in our league now.

“He is a big unit and probably like the others they just need a bit more confidence.

“One of the things you find with the young guys coming through is they come in and play a role but don’t want to do too much as they’re afraid of stepping on someone’s shoes.

“This year, they’re all young except for me, so they have no choice.”

Boyle will suit up for one more season with reduced minutes on court and Rone by his side courtside.

“I’m playing at this stage which is why I made sure I had a good assistant with Terence. It will probably be my last year but I wanted to have that balance of seniority in the team, because we don’t  have too much experience,” he said.

“We’ve obviously still got Terrell and we’ve got Josh Clifford, who has just come back, which will add a lot.

“Josh is part of the team I coached last time we made the play-offs a couple of times. It was important I got someone back like that.

“We are just trying to investigate the possibility of getting another import to replace Mitch (Rueter). We think we’ve probably found someone, but again we’ve got to put the best interest of the club.”

Boyle said preparations for 2017 were coming along nicely and he believed play-offs were an achievable goal.

“It’s coming up nice and the juniors are really good. I just don’t want to be a team we develop. I think we’ve got a strong enough team to be either a contender or at least a play-offs team,” he said.

“We have some exciting young players coming through, but the club is committed to filling its second import spot and will be pushing for the play-offs.”

Boyle’s play-off success as coach was with teams based on a strong core of Maitland players.

“We’ve had the team to make the play-offs but I think it makes a difference when you have guys who are hanging around together, can celebrate together and train together.

“To have 10 at training each week makes a huge difference.”

Boyle said Rone was a pivotal appointment and his commitment and knowledge would be vital.

“Terence has agreed to come back and assist this year which is important. He didn’t have much support last year. I was there to support but I was playing 30 minutes plus a game and not able to be there much for him. 

“It was a hard gig for him last year, we had players away, a lot of injuries. It was a different team each week.

“It’s a big commitment from him, he drives twice a week from Sydney for training and then playing days. It’s great to have those people who want to be around so much.”