Tallon Smith
The Narrandera Lizards have taken a major step forward in their return to Group 20 after unveiling John Ingram and Bodean Tereva as the club’s reserve grade coaches for the 2026 campaign.
The appointment of the two locals to the role marks the final step in the club’s long journey back to the league, after last fielding an open age squad as a standalone club in the 2004 First Grade competition.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Battlers For Bush Footy, Ingram said he is excited at the prospect of leading the foundation club back to its traditional competition next season.
“The Narrandera Lizards, it’s an iconic club that used to be in Group 20 for years,” he said.
“We’re just excited to expand on both the women’s league tag, the women’s footy, and also going back into reserve grade, to start really setting the charge and trying to get the club back to where it used to be years ago.”
One aspect that has been at the centre of the club’s return to Group 20 is its decision to field only one senior male team, which will compete in the reserve grade competition.
According to Tereva, it is the best move the club could have made as it looks to re-establish itself in the competition.
“I think reserve grade at this point is probably the best option that we could have done, considering the payment of players [expected in first grade],” he said.
“I feel like in reserve grade [instead of Proten] we can attract things like more sponsors, especially because myself and John are confident we are going to have a good year next year, and I feel like that’s going to bring a lot of positivity around the club.”
Returning to the club after a stint at local rivals Yanco-Wamoon, Tereva said he will draw upon the experience gained from his time in Group 20 in coaching the Lizards next season.
“I suppose just having a bit of experience to get around the boys that haven’t played that top level in terms of training and skill-wise I feel like that’s something I would be able to bring into the club,” he said.
“I’m just happy to be back.”
One of the many positive outcomes of the club’s decision to return to Group 20 is the return of home and away football to the Narrandera Sportsground on a regular basis.
Renowned for their strong home support, Tereva said that the experience of running out on to the club’s home ground is unmatched.
“As myself and John spoke about before, there’s no better feeling than putting on a green and gold jersey,” he said.
“John and I have experienced it a few times here playing for the Lizards in Group 17, there’s nothing better.
“It’s going to bring a lot of positivity to the club, and having a lot of travellers come in will be good for the town as well, because some people might stay.”
As for whether the team will be competitive next year, Ingram said if the club’s past four seasons in the Proten competition are anything to go by, they will, but was also keen to remind supporters that they are still very much in a rebuild.
“We’ve played in Group 17 for the last few years now, [and] the boys have really stepped up and they’ve been a pinnacle of that competition,” he said.
“I think the best step forward is to go into Group 20 like we have, and into reserve grade like we have, but you’ve got to remember we are a rebuilding club, and this will be our First Grade side, so we’re going to be putting the strongest team on the paddock that we can.
“It’s looking promising moving into next year with the amount of talent we have in Narrandera.”
