Since 2022 the Shoals have been the dominant force in the Illawarra Rugby Union competition and under the guidance of the experienced coach, Will Miller, they are eyeing off more success.

"I don't think so - everyone is pretty keen to keep on moving forward," he said when the word "complacency" was mentioned.

"Complacent is something I don't think we have been for the last four years."

To keep the players motivated Miller is all about "improving little goals".

The Shoals mentor said improving the individual skill set of his players was something he was keen to foster this season.

"We are not a massive team [size wise], and we are up against a lot bigger players than ourselves, and so we try to work on our skill to maximise space on the field, and then we can use that with our faster players," the coach explained.

Team undergoes some changes
The Shoals will be fielding a somewhat different team in season 2025 as some players have moved away for work and other reasons.

"There are young boys ready to step up and take their place," Miller said about a player transition that lots of other sports clubs face and overcome.

He said three second rowers and four or five props would be leaving this season.

"We have a lot of young boys there and other players that we are keen to see what they will all do this year. I think those guys would have been pretty competitive even if those others were not leaving anyway," the Shoals mentor explained.

The Shoals had always tried to blood younger players "here and there" in past seasons and now they will be given more opportunities "to make those positions their own".

Some players to watch in season 2025
Angus Templeton, Corey Wardell, Jesse Harrison and Angus Ellem are just some of the players Miller is looking forward to seeing shine.

"Angus [Templeton] played a fair bit of first grade last year at outside centre and on the wing - he is a young player who put up his hand a lot last year. Angus will get better and better," the Shoals' mentor said.

"Corey, an outside back as well, had his first year of rugby last year and I think he will be very handy this year

It will be good to see how Jesse and Angus [Ellem] step up in the forwards

"There are a lot of younger guys who were on the edge of first-grade selection last year and the year before - it will be good to see them get a go."

There has not been much of a move in the big-name player signing section but Austin Wallace is returning

Wallace played some games a few years ago but has been unavailable due to Royal Australian Navy commitments.

"He [Wallace] is a good player and plays in the second row," Miller said

Miller did play last year but in season 2025 just hopes to coach.

Steady build-up at training

Numbers at pre-season training have been "steady", and Miller expects the numbers at pre-season training to increase as the weeks go on - particularly once his players finish their other sporting commitments.

"It kind of happens every year - it builds up closer to the start of the season, which is good," he said about the gradual build-up of numbers at training.

The focus has been on fitness and skill season so far at training.

"Skills is a big one and standards as well. We want to make sure we keep each other and ourselves accountable, "Miller said.

Accountability, so they could call upon it "at tough times" during matches, is something the squad is working on at training.

They have also been doing some match related drills.

"It will be really good - I am really keen to see how we go," the coach said about the fast-approaching season.

He mentioned Kiama and Camden as two of the teams the Shoals would have to watch in 2025.

"I always say to the boys - we need to play 15 per cent better each week as everyone wants to beat us [the premier]," coach Miller said.

"It [season 2025] will be good and a good challenge - all the boys will be up for it which will be really good."

Preparations for the title defence start with 10s and Kiama Sevens
The team had a recent run in the Camden 10s recently reached the quarter-finals where they lost to Tumut 48 - 14

Steven Brandon was named the Shoals' player of the 10s tournament.

"It was a good little first hit out," Miller said about playing in the 10s tournament.

Shoals also played in the recent Kiama Sevens, winning the Bowl Final against Burraneers 28-12.

Jack Watts was named player of the bowl final after scoring two great tries for the Shoals.

The team will be heading to Bungendore to play the Queanbeyan Whites second-grade side as part of the County Cup tournament which will be the team's main trial

Let the record show ....
2024 grand final

Shoalhaven

Shoalhaven 36 - Kiama 5

2023 grand final

Shoalhaven

Shoalhaven 36 - Avondale 15

2022 grand final

Shoalhaven

Shoalhaven 35 - Avondale 12

The last Illawarra Rugby three-peat was achieved by Shamrocks in 1992 -1994, with other back-to-back runs achieved by Kiama 1973 - 1976 and 1966 - 1968, with Vikings doing four in a row from 1962 - 1965.