Belles head coach Zoey Shaw has praised the club for the appointment of Russ Green as chief executive as the side head into an exciting period of their 50-year history.
Former Hartlepool United and Rochdale chief executive Green took on the role with the Belles as he oversees the club’s transition into the Club Doncaster family this year, and Shaw says she is looking forward to building a strong understanding with him.
“Russ has come in as chief executive and he’s been a real breath of fresh air around the place, I’m really looking forward to building a good relationship with him and having that person there to go to for a bit of advice from time to time,” she said.
“I think his appointment is so important for everyone, not just myself, but it takes a lot of pressure away from all of my staff too, he’s someone to go to for any problem solving, and after doing everything ourselves over the last two years, he’ll be a real help for us.
“To have Russ in and doing some of the work behind the scenes such as the player recruitment and sponsors, just everything that you need to survive as a club, it’s so exciting and in the short space of time we’ve worked together he’s made a massive impact already.”
Shaw’s side begin life with Club Doncaster in the Women’s National League Division One Midlands following a tough past season which saw them relegated on the final day from the Women’s Premier Division North, but the head coach feels a lot has been learnt and her side is now ready for the challenge ahead.
“Personally, last season I was really challenged as a coach, the side we had last year really should’ve been playing development football rather than playing in the first team, but they embraced the challenge and after a slow start we finished off really well,” she added.
“We can really get to grips with things from the start whereas last season we didn’t have any of that, collectively we’re already well ahead of ourselves, so those experienced players that come in to add to the youngsters from last year are massive for us.
“We had great support playing down at Rossington last season, it’s a nice ground and there’s a real buzz about it when you have a good crowd there, it gives the players a boost, and the message goes out to everyone that if they want to see the Belles develop then come down and show your support.”