Former Queensland fast bowler Chris Swan to play on at Surfers Paradise despite Dolphins role

FORMER Queensland quick Chris Swan has made a decision on his playing future with Surfers Paradise after adding a Gold Coast Dolphins coaching role to his already hectic schedule.

FORMER Queensland quick Chris Swan will play on at Surfers Paradise next season, despite adding a Gold Coast Dolphins coaching role to his already hectic schedule.

After serving as the Dolphins’ Lord’s Taverners coach in 2015-16 and 2016-17, the 39-year-old will return to the job in 2018-19 as he looks to foster the club’s next generation of first graders.

Swan, who took 101 wickets in a 31-game first class career for the Bulls, will juggle the role with his playing and director of coaching commitments at Cricket Gold Coast club Surfers Paradise, as well as his full-time pest control business and part-time work with the Bulls Masters.

But that’s just the way he likes it.

“It’s not uncommon to me. Even when I was playing for the Bulls for six years and coaching up (in Brisbane) for two years, I still had a full-time pest control job down here that I had to fit in around it,” Swan said.

Chris Swan will play on with Surfers Paradise next season. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“It will be good to get back involved with the kids (at the Dolphins). I did the Tavs for a couple of years prior to last year and then had a year off, but Pfaffy (president Jeff Pfaff) has asked me to come back in so I’m happy to help.

“I feel like I’ve got plenty to offer those boys transitioning from junior to senior cricket. Having done it on the Coast myself, I’m passionate about Gold Coast junior cricketers making the transition to senior cricket as seamless as possible.

“There’s a lot of talented kids involved. It’s better to build the boy than mend the man so if you get them at the right age group at the Dolphins and get them heading in the right direction, hopefully in 10 years’ time they should be really good first grade cricketers for us. And hopefully they’ll go on to follow Michael Neser’s lead.”

Swan will be joined at Pippen Oval by another former Bull in Jerry Cassell, who will replace Damian Wallis as head coach.