DEVELOPING junior talent is what drives newly appointed Bendigo Pioneers women's coach Cherie O'Neill.

O'Neill was in Sunraysia this week along with boys’ head coach Damian Trusgrove and football operations manager David Meade as part of a regional visit.

"I've always loved the game (football) and to be able to be involved at an elite level as the head coach I suppose is the next step for me,"...