SOUTH Tamworth will enter the new cricket season without one of its most potent bowling weapons.
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Fast bowler Tom O'Neill has opted to sit out the summer of cricket, instead choosing to focus on his blossoming coaching career.
Taking the reins as the Central North under-18 coach, O'Neill said the time was right for him to "have a year off".
"Things have been a bit full on lately with the coaching and everything, so I thought just having a year off would be pretty handy," O'Neill told the Leader.
"I have been coaching the under-18 Central North side and an academy side, so I want to give them a bit more of my focus."
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O'Neill said his coaching roles were "very enjoyable".
"For me it is really great to see the young guys take something you have taught them and use it in a game," he said.
"I'm really enjoying coaching at the moment and it will all start to pick up in the lead up to Christmas.
"From there it eases up a bit, but picks up again in the new year. I'm really enjoying it so far and I'm looking forward to what's ahead."
A NSW country representative, O'Neill took 25 wickets for Souths last season, taking his total to 119 wickets since joining the club in 2015-16.
"I still really enjoy my cricket, but I am just keen to give coaching a good go," O'Neill said.
"My body is still feeling really good as well.
"I'll definitely be keeping tabs on how Souths are going, but I have decided to take the year off."