Gold Coast Dolphins hopeful of appointing new coach by end of May after opening applications

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are likely to have a new men’s head coach in place by the end of May as the search intensifies for the man to continue their Queensland Premier Cricket revival.

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are likely to have a new men’s head coach in place by the end of May as the search intensifies for the man to continue their Queensland Premier Cricket revival.

Without a full-time coach since the sacking of Jerry Cassell in November, the Dolphins have so far made do with assistants Peter Ford and Nathan Anson and the support of specialists Andrew Robinson, Grant Parmenter and Scott Muller.

GOLD COAST DOLPHINS SEASON REPORT CARD

Three weeks ago, the club officially began the process of appointing Cassell’s successor after opening formal applications, with director of coaching Chris Swan hopeful more names will enter the race before the April 30 closing date.

“We’ve received a few expressions of interest and a few formal applications. It’d be nice to have a few selection choices to see which sort of model fits our club,” the former Queensland Bulls quick said.

Gold Coast Dolphins’ Hugo Burdon. Picture: Richard Gosling

“(The new coach has) got to be driven, they’ve got to be motivated and have a plan. For a program that’s clearly worked in the past, the new head coach won’t have to change a lot except bring his own motivation and drive to the role.

“It really is a great opportunity for any aspiring coach to go to the next level. We’ve definitely got a young playing group and any district club has to balance retaining players of all ages and abilities with the constant aspiration of players in the top grade to go to the next level.

DOLPHINS’ DOUBLE DREAMS DASHED

“We will appoint the head coach first (and then assistants). A head coach might bring one particular skill set that he might focus on and if that’s the case, I’d compliment him with the assistant coaches who can back up the skills he is less across the board with.”

The Bulletin understands a Cricket Gold Coast first grade coach is among those to have submitted an application.

The Dolphins’ top side defied its inexperience to finish sixth in the two-day format this season, with Max Bryant and Matt Kuhnemann making debuts for Queensland and Josh Kann playing for the Australian under-19s and state second XI.

“Any coach worth his salt would want to get involved with a young team that looks to improve each and every time they go out and have a real good learning ethic,” Swan said.

THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND GRAND FINALISTS’ CUP CHARGE

“They get exposure to the best cricketers in the state on a weekly basis, they get numerous opportunities during the season to improve their skills with workshops run by Queensland Cricket and they’re also a talent ID officer for the next level.

“Our third grade (team) played semi final cricket, our fourth grade just missed out on semi finals, which is the highest finish they’ve had for a decade probably. Second grade were there or thereabouts until the last two games of the season as well.”