“This is a really big challenge for me, but it’s one I feel I’m ready for”
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Richard Dawson has replaced John Bracewell as Gloucestershire’s head coach after the latter announced that he would be stepping down from the post.
Dawson spent last year’s county season as the head coach of Yorkshire’s second XI squad.
“It has all been a bit of a rollercoaster ride really and everything has happened in the last 48 hours,” Dawson told the Bristol Evening Post. “I was offered the post on Wednesday.
“I’m 34, so this is a really big challenge for me, but it’s one I feel I’m ready for. The 10 months I spent working at Yorkshire was very important in terms of my development and I learned an awful lot during my time there.
“I was second XI coach, but they gave me the opportunity to work with senior players during what was a winning period. Having played there as a player and then gone back there as a coach, you realise just how big a place it is and what the expectations are. It has been good preparation for me ahead of taking this job with Gloucestershire.
“I love the hands-on side of coaching and I’m looking forward to introducing new ideas and ensuring everyday has a purpose. We have some very talented players here and I want to give them the belief to go out there and show what they can do.
“The one thing I learned up there in Yorkshire is that you go in every day and try your best. It is not about doing well in just one competition, but realising there are three competitions you need to do well in.”
Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown added: “Richard is one of the new breed of modern, up-and-coming, innovative coaches. He is deeply passionate about what he does and he wears his heart n his sleeve. When he loses, he fills the swear box and when he wins, he is bouncing around the place. That is the kind of enthusiasm our young players will respond to.”
However, Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur admitted that he was sad to see Dawson go.
“We are disappointed to be losing him, he has been a crucial part of our coaching structure however we understand he’s an ambitious person who truly deserves this opportunity,” he said. “His work with the Second team and his assistance to Jason with the First team throughout the year have been excellent and we will all miss him and what he has brought to our club.
“We wish him every success in his future career development.”