Joe Knagge is determined to make club culture a focus and see a women's side return to the park after stepping back up to the role of president at the Dubbo Demons.
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Knagge is a life member of the Demons and has been part of the club for almost all of its 39-year history.
A desire to get back involved with the day-to-day running of the club has seen him return to the president's role and replace Nick Lowther, who held the top job from 2016.
"I've always been working in the background and I'm a past president," Knagge said, his wife Jane also having been involved with the Demons for more than three decades.
"I wanted to be back in the committee structure and work with the Central West AFL and AFL NSW and ACT.
"Just to be around the planning, particularly the junior side of things."
The continual development of juniors and the return of a women's side is the immediate focus for Knagge and his board.
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The Demons women won the 2018 women's title but a lack of numbers meant they took no part in this year's competition.
Knagge is almost certain a women's team will be back in 2020, with plenty of interest already from former Dubbo players.
"A lot went and played with Parkes last season and I see no problem fielding a strong women's side next season," he said.
"That's the main thing because as a club we lacked that. There was the lack of that additional support at home games and it helps the culture.
"We've always been a family focused club so to have juniors and women involved is important for the club to be healthy."
Knagge was been delighted by the numbers at both the recent senior and junior annual general meetings.
In terms of the senior club, Knagge will be supported by Lowther, who is now vice president, while Stacey Walker and Ben Madigan return as secretary and treasurer respectfully.
Merinda Roll remains the juniors president and is someone Knagge is eager to work with.
The men's side also remains a firm focus for the club and a women's side and improving junior structure has been tipped to help the Demons return to the summit of Central West AFL.
The Dubbo club possessed one of the most talented squads it had in some time in 2019 but failed to make it any further than the minor semi-final.
Dubbo is ready to have a crack at a reserve grade side.
- Joe Knagge on a potential change in competition structure
"We had a competitive men's side this season but the only thing which held us back was the club culture, not the talent," Knagge admitted.
"You win premierships when everyone is working together and we missed having a women's side and that culture.
"You play better when you've got spectators and supporters at the ground and our numbers were down this year."
Knagge went as far to say he hopes for two men's sides on the park in the near future.
The Central West AFL structure has undergone a number of changes in recent years and there is a chance there could be more on the horizon with the idea of a reserve grade something tentatively floated in recent times.
"We'd like to do that and we'd like to see more people playing," Knagge said.
"Dubbo is ready to have a crack at a reserve grade side."
The new president also stated the club should be announcing coaches for 2020 in the coming weeks.
