The announcement comes three weeks after Chidgey officially ended a 40-year association with The Waratahs.

After guiding the Tahs to premierships in 2003 and 2006, a bitter Chidgey told the club in July he would walk away at the end of the season, accusing factions of sabotaging his position.

He received approaches from other clubs but believed Southern Beaches were the right fit.

"They have a good product and a lot of professional people involved in the club," Chidgey said.

"There is no doubt they have some quality players, but being a relatively young club they don't have that winning culture yet.

"Hopefully I can help change that.

"I spent sevens years at the helm of Waratah. My brother, Matt, had four before that, and it goes back further to my father and grandfather.

"There was a fair bit of history to be walking out the door on.

"But that is in the past.

"Southern Beaches is the future.

"I was after a new environment and I think Southern Beaches will be good for me and I'll be good for them."

Chidgey replaces Steve McPherson, who did not see out the season.

In their fourth year of premier rugby, Beaches finished a disappointing ninth with just four wins despite boasting representative trio Michael and Andy Delore and Ben Smit.

Since their promotion, the club have made no secret of their desire to become one of the competition heavyweights, and president Luke Brown was confident that Chidgey's appointment was a step in the right direction.

"Tim's task is to mould the club's potential into a winning culture and we are very confident that he has the ability to do that," Brown said

"He will bring the level of professionalism and discipline we need to play September rugby."

Chidgey, who as well as winning premierships guided Newcastle to consecutive Country Championship titles, welcomed the pressure.

"There is an expectation to perform," he said.

"That is good for me. Preparations start now. In the next week I will be looking at the playing roster and mapping out the pre-season.

"The nucleus of the team is strong - the three Delore brothers and Ben Smit. Their colts have qualified for the grand final, so there is no shortage of talent. Anyone we do bring in will have to fit into the culture we will be trying to form."

In other coaching appointments, Dan Beckett has been retained at the helm of Wanderers for a third season.