Darryl Maher was appointed coaches co-ordinator with the aim of integrating all coaches, creating a seamless transition from junior to senior football.

Lions senior coach Steve Burns welcomed the move.

"It's one club," he said.

"All the junior kids will eventually play senior footy for the club.

"They'll be learning all the way through and it will bridge the gap between senior and junior footy."

All coaches from the seniors to the under-10s met last week to discuss the way forward.

An internal document was distributed outlining the expectations of the coaches.

Such meetings will be held regularly as the Lions aim to create a coaching "team" that will support each other in tough times.

"There's no difference between me and the under-10s coach," Burns said.

"The whole idea is to get everyone together and know they've got a support network.

"The new booklet is about giving all the coaches a heads up of where we're going."

The Lions will celebrate their 20th anniversary in the Essendon District Football League this winter.

With the club on a sound footing financially, the Lions' new mission is to boost their professionalism in the coaching ranks.

That means a roll-out of uncomplicated set plays for junior players that will help them evolve as they grow older.

Burns stressed that ultimately it will be up to the individual coaches to run their own teams.

"Darryl wants to make the club a more professionally run place," he said.

Maher was inspired to further his coaching by former AFL coach Stan Alves.

He has excelled in the under-16s and was recognised with an Australian Football Coaches Association youth coach of the year award last season.

He said junior football was the heartbeat of the club.

Maher wants to see a repeat of last season when the Lions had six out of eight juniors teams playing in finals and a wave of players heading to TAC Cup club Western Jets.

Meanwhile, the Lions' B-grade senior team has its sights set on earning promotion to A grade this season. Burns admitted the loss of former Western Bulldogs forward Patrick Wiggins to the Sunshine Kangaroos in the Western Region Football League was a blow, but he is thrilled with the signings of centre half-back Nick Micalizzi, on-baller Nathan Taylor, dashing half-back Anthony Longo and flanker Steve Rizzo.