The North Beach Football Club has appointed former Claremont reserves coach Ryan Mackenzie as senior coach for the 2022 season.

Mackenzie, originally from NSW where he cut his teeth with Corowa in the highly regarded Ovens and Murray Football League, was an under-18 and senior premiership player and fairest and best before heading west.

He joined East Perth in 2005 and played 48 games for the Royals before then spending four seasons with South Bunbury in the powerful South-West Football League where he won the Hayward Medal in 2011, won a senior fairest and best award with the Tigers and played in three consecutive grand finals.

He returned to the metropolitan area and played a couple of seasons with Wembley, combining his playing duties with an assistant coaching role, co-ordinating the midfield.

Mackenzie, more recently, has been a part of the Claremont coaching structure and is keen to get to work at the Beach – establishing relationships with the players and coaches across the club and developing the skill and knowledge of the younger players.

Since his appointment, Mackenzie has touched base with several senior players to get the ball rolling.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to the opportunity,” Mackenzie said. “After spending a couple of seasons at Claremont and continuing to develop my leadership skills, I feel ready for it.

“It will not just be the footy side of things, but also the leadership component with players and coaches at the club. I’ve spoken to a number of players already and will start to develop the pre-season plan.”

Mackenzie replaces Shane Paap who led the club to four consecutive finals appearances in his time in the role with the Beach losing to eventual premier Kingsway in the preliminary final.