The Magpies announced Walker as the replacement for outgoing mentor Keelan Hamilton during the week and Walker is eyeing a November 8 start for training.

Walker has coached in both male and female ranks and has been part of Maitland's NPL youth program.

"For me, it was an aspiration that's come about quicker than anticipated," Walker told the Newcastle Herald.

"In terms of the opportunity, it's amazing. I'm hoping to be around for a while and really give Maitland the stability to build on what was created last year. It was a significant development from the Redbacks' position."

Maitland replaced perennial strugglers Thornton this year. They were in a battle for a top-four finish when the season was cut short due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Magpies did, however, add some silverware to the trophy cabinet when they won the NNSWF Women's State Cup at Speers Point in July.

Walker is eyeing a top-four finish next year and is in the process of finalising a squad he expected to remain largely unchanged.

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"We're working towards maintaining the same squad and adding to it where we can," he said.

"I believe we had eight players who were still teenagers in and around the first-grade team last year and it is still a young squad. I think that 12 months and the exposure those ladies all had last year will help them again this year.

"We're still working through the contractual side of it. We're probably a week too early of saying, 'Yes, everyone is locked in'. But it's all heading in the right direction."

The Magpies were well led by experienced duo Sophie Stapleford and Kaitlin Radstaak this year and the club unearthed a number of rising talents in the likes of Herald Women's Premier League young player of the year Bronte Peel.

"We've got some interest and are talking to some players to add to the squad and the club is still hopeful of trying to attract some of the players that may come out of the A-League Women's when its competition ceases," Walker said.

"There's obviously been some good signings already by other clubs that we'll play against throughout the season, so, we'd like to have a bit of a slice of that."

Jets striker Jemma House plays for Newcastle Olympic and her A-League Women's teammates Cassidy Davis, Tara Andrews and Lauren Allan have all signed for Warners Bay for next season.

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