Pirate life member takes on Texans head coach role
Yes folks ... the Napier Technical Old Boys Rugby Football Club's latest Face Book post is correct.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports Club stalwart Kerry Lewis will be the Texans premier team's head coach next year. Lewis, who has been involved with the Pirate club for almost 40 years and has been a life member for the last 10 confirmed today he applied for the Pirate club's head coach role and missed out as the club decided to stick with this year's head coach Andy Lord.
"I offered Pirates a three to five-year project and when word got around that I had missed out I was approached by Tech. I've got a two-year project with Tech and if things go well I will have the right of renewal," Lewis explained.
"I did an Advanced Coaching course at the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand last year and that's the main reason I wanted to coach prems next year. Pirates offered me the Premier Reserve grade team for next year but I decided five years ago to work towards a premier coaching role and I'm ready ," Lewis said.
Nobody would disagree with him. Lewis coached the Pirate colts team for the last five years with the aim of building player resources.
"I believe 18 of those players will be ready for Premier Reserve level and at least two or three for Premier grade level," Lewis said.
He pointed out he has left the decision of those players including his son, New Zealand Universities team speedster Ben Lewis, on where they will play next year up to them.
Lewis, 59, who coached the title-winning Napier Ross Shield team in 2013 has been on the Pirate club's committee since 2003 and has held every role apart from treasurer and patron.
"I went to the Pirate club's patron Pat Fox and explained why I was leaving and I leave with his blessing. Although club rugby is amateur you have to adopt a professional approach to achieve your goals and I am doing that," Lewis added.
Tech club stalwart, Rod Cushing, who will again co-manage the Whitmore Park-based club's premiers with Cyril Whitburn next year, said his club was rapt to secure Lewis' services and he will have a talented squad to work with.
Lewis replaces this season's head coach Simon Lord at the Tech club. The Texans are the third premier team to announce new head coaches for next year.
In recent weeks former Magpies Sam Giddens and Ellery Wilson were announced as the head coaches of Clive and Napier Old Boys Marist respectively.
