Hard-nosed defender Nathan Cooksley will skipper Wairarapa United when they kick off their 2012 central league football campaign with a match against early competition favourites Olympic in Wellington on Sunday.
Cooksley's elevation to the captaincy role follows a hugely impressive 2011 season when he was named Wairarapa United's Players' Player of the Year by his teammates and coach Phil Keinzley is confident it will be a popular choice.
"Nathan is one of those guys who will lead by example, he sets high standards for himself and I am sure he will do that for others as well," Keinzley said.
"He's a fighter by nature, he doesn't know how to quit.".
Keinzley believes Cooksley's promotion will also have a beneficial effect on Adam Cowan, who led Wairarapa United to the Chatham Cup title last year as well as third in the central league.