PREMIERSHIP coach Shane Skontra will lead the Central Highlands Football League into its first interleague battle in 15 years.Skontra, who coached Waubra to their last two premierships, has been announced as the coach for the RSM Bird Cameron CHFL Senior Interleague team to play in the Worksafe Country Championships on Saturday, May 26.CHFL, drawn to play Ellinbank and District Football League at Nar Nar Goon, has not played senior interleague since back-to-back victories against the Mininera and District Football League in 1996 and 1997. Skontra said he was thrilled with the opportunity to help represent the league in the state-wide competition, which CHFL delegates last year voted to reinstate in 2012, after a 15-year absence. Selected for the gig by the CHFL board of management following an interview process, Skontra will have the backing of some of the league’s best and brightest in his push for interleague victory.In one of his first moves as head coach, he has appointed Damian Lubeek, Adam Sewell, Louis Franc and Greg Middleton to the coaching staff.The four CHFL senior coaches from Creswick, Newlyn, Beaufort and Bungaree will take up assistant coaching roles.“They’re just a fantastic group of people. They’ll be massive help for the players,” Skontra said.“They all bring something different in their leadership qualities.“I was trying to get a very good balance of all the different areas.”The five will join forces to direct the development of a training squad which will be announced after round two of the season.Skontra said among existing players likely to put their hands up for the squad were some BFL interleague players joining the CHFL this season.From the initial squad of 50, the final team would be announced about a week before the game.The introduction of an interleague competition into the mix this year could mean a competitive start to the CHFL season.Skontra said individually, players would be looking to perform.“We certainly won’t be picking on names,” he said. “Their performances in rounds one to six will be a key factor. There’s a lot of exciting talent. We’ll assemble a very good footy side.”Skontra’s coaching experience includes time spent at North Ballarat Rebels as well as coaching Waubra to its 24-year premiership drought breaking victory of 2006 and again in 2011.