Dawson departs role as Raiders head coach

Worthing Raiders Rugby Club head coach Kieron Dawson has left his role with immediate effect.
Former Worthing Raiders head coach Kieron Dawson (right)Former Worthing Raiders head coach Kieron Dawson (right)
Former Worthing Raiders head coach Kieron Dawson (right)

Dawson, who was with Raiders for five seasons, has departed along with backs coach Nick Buoy.

An inconsistent campaign saw Worthing finish 11th in National 2 South last season.

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The Irishman cited an increased need to deal with administration issues at the club as one of the reasons for his exit and said: “Over the past couple of seasons I felt I was having to deal with a lot on the admin side. That is something I never wanted and, in the end, I felt it was becoming a chore.

“Myself and Nick wanted to coach players but for at least two seasons now we have found ourselves dealing with several off-the-field matters.

“I’ve got a full-time job, young family and also coach part-time and I just did not have the time to get involved with other areas other than coaching.

“We had asked the club for a director of rugby but no-one came in so myself and Nick felt this was the right time to go.”

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Despite a disappointing campaign last year, Dawson did lead Raiders into National 1 in the 2012-13 season.

Overall, Dawson viewed his time with Raiders as a success.

He said: “I think overall it was a successful time for myself and Nick. Getting up into National 1 and developing so many young players were the highlights for both of us.

“In the most recent England under-20 squad, there were five players who had been with us at some point.

“It’s a shame it has come to this but I never wanted to become a director of rugby and I felt towards the end it was coming to that. I’m just looking to take a break from the game now.”

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Buoy was also disappointed to leave his role as backs coach and said: “We both love the club but work and family commitments were becoming too much.

“I think rugby at this level is becoming a lot about recruitment and myself and Kieron were finding it tricky to do that, as well as coach.”

Raiders are set to announce a director of rugby and new coaching set-up in the coming days.

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