Kawana Dolphins re-emerge as Sunshine Coast Rugby League powerhouse under Andrew Hinson

Kawana Dolphins’ coach Andrew Hinson reveals how the squad transformed from lacking in confidence three years ago to winning the grand final.

Andrew Hinson has re-established Kawana Dolphins as a Sunshine Coast Rugby League powerhouse, just three years after he was named coach on the eve of pre-season training as an 11th-hour replacement.

Hinson took over as club coach in January, 2019 after Matt Adamson pulled the pin weeks out from Round 1 for “personal reasons”.

Years of hard work paid off at the weekend with the Dolphins, under Hinson’s guidance, taking to the grand finals with three grades on show.

They came away with wins in A-grade and under-18s.

The A-grade outfit defeated Maroochydore Swans 22-10 in what Hinson said was the proudest moment of his career.

It was his first senior title as coach.

Kawana Dolphins captain Tommy Hearn celebrating the grand final victory over Maroochydore Swans, Picture: Matty Holdsworth

Hinson had taken the reigns of a squad that missed the finals in 2018 and hadn’t won a title since 2015.

Numbers were down at training and confidence was low.

“The club is just at that tipping point at the moment where we need some stability and a bit of a cultural shake-up which I’m really keen to do,” Hinson said in 2019.

His first point of call was to create a united front of A-grade, reserves and under-18s.

Kawana’s 2019 A-grade side won six straight to make a late finals charge but bowed out in the semi-finals.

While Covid-19 cancelled the 2020 season there was no stopping his Dolphins at the weekend.

Andrew Hinson copped the traditional ice bucket treatment after claiming the premiership. Picture: Richo Jarman.

Despite Kawana’s reserve grade side being defeated by two points on Saturday, it was a proud day for the club.

“I’ve been working on this for a long time, been at the club 15 years,” Hinson said.

“We have a rich history in our club which we are now starting to build on.

“It’s a credit to this club having three grades in the grand final.”

A-grade skipper Tommy Hearn said Hinson had transformed the club and was a big reason why he delayed hanging up the boots.

“It’s been massive having him in,” Hearn said.

“When Hinso first took over, we were struggling for numbers. Struggling as a club for starters.

“But now to where we have come from is incredible. We’ve been training for this since October.

“It’s taken a massive effort from everyone.”

Andrew Hinson copped the traditional ice bucket treatment after claiming the premiership. Picture: Richo Jarman.

150-game Dolphin Joel Fitzgerald, who announced he would retire after the premiership win, said Hinson instilled belief.

“We had a lot of young fellas coming through, a couple of older guys and he just got us playing basic footy to get us to where we needed to be.

“It’s unbelievable.”

Hinson said defence was the key to his coaching manual.

“I’m not surprised (with the win) but it’s been a lot of hard work, we are always trying to better ourselves,” he said.

“Maroochydore are a good team who just kept coming and it went right down to the wire.

“The boys dug deep, and I couldn’t be prouder of them. Our defence and attitude, we’ve been the best defensive team all year and it showed tonight.”

Hinson, about to start two weeks holidays from work, said the celebrations would be legendary.

Originally published as Kawana Dolphins re-emerge as Sunshine Coast Rugby League powerhouse under Andrew Hinson