New Bay of Plenty coach youngest in competition

Andre Bell, 36, plans to revitalise the Bay of Plenty team. Picture / Rotorua Daily Post

Andre Bell is adamant his relative youth won't be an issue as he sets out to revitalise Bay of Plenty in this year's revamped domestic national championship.

Bell, who turned 36 a fortnight ago and retired seven years ago after more than 60 games for Otago, South Canterbury and Bay of Plenty, replaces Vern Cotter who is off to French club Clermont.

Bell's last game was the NPC second division final in 1999, when he scored a try as the Bay lost a cliffhanger 14-13 to Nelson Bays.

Bell had a couple of years coaching in Japan before becoming Cotter's assistant last year. But importantly, he has been a schoolteacher for 10 years, in physical education and helping run the Rotorua Boys' High sports academy.

That's given him a wealth of wisdom on handling diverse personalities, as he dips his toes into a head coaching job for the first time.

"It's about trying to get the most out of every individual. Some need a tap on the shoulder, some need a rark up," he said.

He will be the youngest coach in the Air New Zealand Cup and Bell is rapt the Bay union has shown faith in his ability and been prepared to give him a chance.

"I don't think my age is a big hindrance. If you're confident and have that ability to deal with people, it should not be a problem."

Bell, part of the celebrated Otago team which beat the Lions in 1993, talked about performance objectives he wants to achieve this year in the cup, which he hopes will lead to making the playoffs. But he has some repair work to do after a disappointing campaign last year, which followed making the semifinals in 2004.

He has a core of Chiefs Super 14 players who will be critical to the Bay's aspirations, with forwards such as front rowers Ben Castle, Simms Davison, Aleki Lutui, lock Bernie Upton, opensider Nili Latu, and backs Jamie Nutbrown and Anthony Tahana expected to be influential contributors.

Former All Black flanker Kevin Schuler will be Bell's assistant.