Gold Coast Dolphins Hall of Famer Chris Swan discusses new role as men’s head coach

GOLD Coast Dolphins Hall of Famer Chris Swan has opened up about his new role as head coach and what it means for his playing career with Surfers Paradise.

GOLD Coast Dolphins Hall of Famer Chris Swan says it was “just time” for him to take on a new challenge as the club’s head coach.

Having initially ruled himself out of the running, the former Queensland Bulls quick was on Saturday unveiled as the Dolphins’ men’s coach for the 2019-20 Queensland Premier Cricket campaign.

Swan, who will have fellow club great Andrew Robinson and Nathan Anson as his assistants, was set to serve as coaching director at the Dolphins and Cricket Gold Coast club Surfers Paradise, as well as Dolphins Lord’s Taverners coach.

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However, he will now step away from those roles, as well as playing commitments with Surfers, to channel his energy into developing the next crop of talent at Bill Pippen Oval.

After two years as an assistant coach with the Bulls and Brisbane Heat following his retirement in 2012, the 40-year-old said he was ready to rekindle the flame with the Dolphins.

“It’s definitely time,” Swan, who took 101 first-class wickets for Queensland at an average of 25.92, said.

Chris Swan in action for Surfers Paradise in the Kookaburra Cup last season. Picture: Richard Gosling

“(Coaching) definitely was an aspiration when I finished playing (but) I had two years in that professional coaching role as an assistant with the Bulls and Brisbane Heat and that was enough for me. I dipped my toe in the water at the next level and I definitely enjoyed my time but I didn’t have any aspirations to go back and continue down the professional coaching path.

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“But I’m a passionate Gold Coaster and it was just time. There was no suitable candidates around (for the Dolphins role) so I’m happy to fill the void and give it my best shot and support the next generation of Gold Coast cricketers.”

Swan, who was inducted into the Dolphins’ Hall of Fame alongside Robinson in 2017, will take over a young squad that showed signs of immense promise last season.

While the Taverners claimed the under-17 crown, the first (sixth), second (seventh), third (fourth) and fourth (fifth) grade sides were also more than competitive.

Swan, playing for Queensland in 2010, celebrates the wicket of Western Australia’s Marcus North.

“This group has already proven themselves to be talented. It’s an exciting time to be a part of it,” Swan said.

“To finish fifth in the Club Championship last season with only four grades when other clubs have six, and to be there or thereabouts in three of the four grades come semi-final time, it shows the depth. There’s a real opportunity for this playing squad to go to the next level and get some silverware for the Dolphins.”

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Former assistant coach Peter Ford will remain involved with matchday operations at the club, which will begin pre-season training early next month.

CHRIS SWAN FACT FILE

Age: 40

First class matches: 31

First class wickets: 101 at 25.92

Best bowling: 7-75

Notes:

■ 79 matches for the Gold Coast Dolphins from 2005-12 (119 wickets at 20.97)

■ First class debut for Queensland vs. NSW in October, 2006

■ Captain-coached Surfers Paradise to 2016-17 Kookaburra Cup grand final

■ Inducted into Dolphins Hall of Fame in 2017

■ Coached Dolphins Lord’s Taverners side to 2018-19 premiership