Rupertswood is prepared for the challenge ahead as it steps up to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Rupertswood president Peter Kavanagh said that having won the B-grade grand final last month, the club had already started to look ahead to next season when it will be in the top grade for the first time since 2012-13.
“We definitely think we have the players to be competitive next season,” Kavanagh said. “How competitive will be the question … even this year the players looked at some of the blokes playing in McIntyre Cup, knowing they had played them before and beaten them.”
First step for Rupertswood is to appoint a new coach.
Premiership-winning coach John Lane stood down after the grand final. Lane, who had previously coached the club, always planned his comeback to be for one season only. Kavanagh paid tribute to his contribution during two stints of coaching Rupo.
“The results in the finals say a lot,” Kavanagh said. “I’m pretty sure he’s been around the club his whole cricketing career.
“He’s a just a total club player and a natural leader. Once he starts talking, he gets the players’ attention. We’ve got a lot to thank him for.”
Kavanagh says the club would like to find a new coach with similar attributes to Lane.
“It’s hard to replace someone like him …ideally, we’d like someone who can be a player as well, or if they aren’t a player can bring a couple of blokes with them.
“We’d really like an extra batsman for next season.”
Lane is expected to play on, but which grade he lines up for is yet to be determined as he steps back from the top job.
Kavanagh says the club is hoping to appoint the new coach within the next month.
Rupertswood has advertised the role and begun talks with candidates.
“We always knew John coming back would be for one year, so we knew we had to find a new coach,” the president said.
“The club is in a good place and we’ve got people wanting to play here.
“We could look at having an extra side next season.
“All we need now is to have that senior coach in place,” Kavanagh said.
