Palm Beach Currumbin stalwart Ryan Kettle eyeing Cricket Gold Coast board role

Palm Beach Currumbin coach Ryan Kettle has outlined his plans to take on a new challenge as he weighs up his playing future in 2020-21 and beyond.

PALM Beach Currumbin coach Ryan Kettle has outlined his desire to join the Cricket Gold Coast board as he weighs up his playing future in 2020-21 and beyond.

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Having joined the club as an eight-year-old in 1988, Kettle has become one of the most influential figures at Salk Oval in recent years.

The 39-year-old, whose time at Palm Beach has been interrupted only by a five-season absence in his 20s, spent five years as president, was captain-coach in 2018-19 and served as player-coach this season.

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But he is now keen to offer his experience to the wider cricket community.

“I’m trying to get more involved in Gold Coast cricket if they’ll have me. I see an opportunity for me to possibly look at a committee role in Gold Coast cricket and try and guide our game in good direction on the Gold Coast,” Kettle said.

Ryan Kettle in action for Palm Beach Currumbin. Picture: John Gass

“It just hasn’t been the right time for me to take a backward step from Palm Beach but I think now is the right time. I just think I can make some positive changes if they’ll have me, not drastic changes.

“I’ve put my hand up to coach again (at Palm Beach) next season. As for playing, that’s probably 50-50 at this stage.”

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The Lions again struggled on-field this season, winning just four games to finish second from bottom.

But while they are now without a finals appearance since 2012-13, Kettle said there was reason for optimism next season.

Palm Beach‘s Andrew Craig. Picture: Steve Holland

“There’s been pretty good development from some of the younger guys. I don’t think we’ve had any major standouts but we’ve developed some players,” Kettle said.

“Andy Craig has really come along this season with bat and ball. He has shown he will become a destructive middle to lower-order bat and his bowling has come along. He’s developed into a pretty consistent line and length bowler, which is something we’ve been missing in years gone by.

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“I think our team needs a little bit more passion. We haven’t had the real drive and haven’t created any momentum going into games.

“We’ve lost games that we should’ve won so that’s something we’ll be looking at.”