One of Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s longest-serving coaches has stepped aside.
Jason King, who has been captain-coach of Sunbury- based club Ashfield for 11 seasons, has decided not to go on with it next summer.
He said it was time to give someone else a go to help take the club to the next level.
“It’s been 11 years and it’s a good time to step down,” he said.
“We’re after someone to take the club into the next phase of development.
“It’s exciting where the club can go in the future.”
After initially looking to coach for one year, King said there was much to be proud of about his time in charge.
“After the first few weeks I said I’d only coach for a year,” he said.
“When I started we were bankrupt, had no players and no volunteers. The proudest thing is seeing how far the club has come in that time.
“It’s been fantastic to see the improvement, on and off the field.”
Ashfield won two premierships and three T20 titles during King’s reign.
The club finished seventh on the B-grade ladder, with three wins for the year but clinched the division 2 title at the Cricket Willow Region T20 finals in January.
King won both the aggregate and average batting awards in the B-grade competition with his 427 runs at 42.70.
He intends to keep playing a major role at Ashfield.
“I’m definitely still going to play,” he said. “It might make me a better player only having to focus on playing.
“I’m looking to work more on the off-field side of things, getting more club functions going and bringing people here.”
The hunt for a new coach has started already.
The job has been advertised and King says Ashfield wants someone with experience.
“We’re after a captain-coach with experience to take the young group forward,” he said.
“It would be good for the players to get a point of view from someone else. We’re preferably looking for a player, so they can help out on the field, too.”
East Sunbury and Rupertswood are also on the hunt for new coaches.
