His record said he was the go-to man.

Dene has been dean of the soccer coaching staff at Newington College for four years and is the Australian schoolboys coach.

He's also been technical director at the Parramatta Eagles who have won the club and youth championships for the past two seasons.

He's got all the coaching certificates and the sports science degree.

Now he's been appointed as the Eagles winter superleague coach, replacing Jason Falzon, whose contract has not been renewed after three seasons.

Although Dene has been with the Eagles for two seasons, this completes a real homecoming because he started out as a player with them in the 1980s.

And he's excited as well he's excited as an Australian schoolboy heading off on an overseas tour.

``I'm very fortunate to have a full-time job as a professional coach,'' Dene said.

``It's a lot of people's dream (to do what they love).''

Dene is confident it's no dream to imagine Parramatta rising to former glories.

They've seemed certain of promotion in the last two seasons of the winter superleague, only to collapse in the final rounds and lose the grand final both times.

``A couple of suspensions didn't help,'' he said of the loss of key players.

``You've got to be disciplined.''

He's talking a confident game.

``We've got about a dozen good local boys from the under 20s, a lot of talent in the super and premier youth leagues,'' Dene said.

``The experienced players like Fred Graham, Pat Gatt and Matt Clewes look like playing again.

``We'll have a very mobile squad that will be even stronger.''

Before then, Dene will be off to Britain with the Australian Schoolboys in January.

The schoolboys will play in front of a host of students of the game in the form of British and European scouts.

SCOREBOARD: Cricket: Sutherland 351 P'matta 221 and 69

Baseball: Orioles 7 North Shore 0