Former St Patrick's college head of Rugby Mike Silcock has come into the Highlanders as the club's new director of coaching.

Club president Patrick Quigley told The Courier he was trilled to bring one someone of Silcock's class to the organisation.

"Mike Silcock brings in a fantastic and professional rugby resume with both his past roles with England rugby and at St Patrick's," he said.

"Bringing someone like Mike in will help raise the bar for both our coaching and playing."

Silcock's first challenge in the role will be finding a replacement for former coach Karl Thin, who departed the club following two seasons at the helm to return to New Zealand.

Quigley said it won't be an easy task to replace someone like Thin.

"Karl has been instrumental in ensuring the club kept its head above water for the 2019 season.

"He's really been the backbone of the club in terms of coaching and ensuring that the players got on the park week in and week out.

"Like losing any key person it really does hurt. He's got a family to look after and he needed to do what he needed to do but there is no doubt if he was available during this season he would be involved in the coaching once again."

The president said he and Silcock will work together to continue Thin's vision and grow the club.

"Karl and I were both united on the front that last year was only a starting point. We want to make sure that the Ballarat Highlanders are the go-to club for anyone looking to play rugby in the west of Victoria."

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