Six new coaches have been hired to help helm teams for the East Jefferson Rivals.

The Port Townsend School District’s board of directors recently signed off on new hires for the girls tennis team, girls fastpitch softball squad, boys baseball team, and track at Blue Heron Middle School.

All of the new coaches came recommended by Athletic Director Shelby Box.

Tom Gambill is the head coach for girls tennis for the 2022-23 season. According to his recommendation letter, Gambill has more than 40 years of history as a coach, and has been a varsity high school coach.

“His values, that are based in inspiring athletes to give their best effort and making sure that sport at every level is fun, make him a great fit for our athletic department,” Box said in the recommendation letter. “His is committed to put ‘student’ first in ‘student-athlete.’”

Shannon Snider is the East Jefferson Rivals’ assistant girls tennis coach for the 2022-23 season. Snider played tennis through high school and has also taught private tennis lessons.

Chad Witheridge is head fastpitch coach for the East Jefferson Rivals for the 2022-23 season. He has coached at the Little League level for years and has also coached high school baseball.

Shannon White is assistant fastpitch coach for the 2022-23 season. White has played sports in high school and college, and has coached Little League, as well as high school players. White is also a volleyball coach at Blue Heron.

Emanuel Abbott is assistant baseball coach for the Rivals’ 2022-23 season. Abbott has been the head coach for boys basketball for East Jefferson.

“Emanuel has great rapport with the student athletes and they respond well to him and his coaching style,” Box said in the recommendation letter.

Holly McIlvaine is assistant track coach at Blue Heron for  the 2022-23 season.

McIlvaine came highly recommended from Jimmy Fenton, head track and field coach at Blue Heron, and she is also an avid runner.

“Holly is committed not only to helping these students become better athletes, but to also help them become better humans,” Box noted in the recommendation letter.