Rams part company with Head Coach

Fri Sep 14 2018

Yorkshire Rams have made the difficult decision to part company with head coach David Pawson.

The 2018 season ended with a 6-4 winning record but after missing out on the Division One play-offs, the club committee decided a change of coach was in the best interests of the club.

General manager Stewart Hegarty said: “Dave, and his family, have been an asset to the Rams.

“Whilst it is difficult to part ways, he has undoubtedly helped players and aspiring coaches alike to become better individuals. I would like to thank Dave for all his work with the Rams and wish him all the best for the future.”

Coach Pawson’s spell in charge began when he took over at short notice on the eve of the 2015 Premiership season, following the withdrawal of two prospective head coaches and with a squad desperately lacking in numbers and experience.

An opening win over local rivals Sheffield gave way to a difficult campaign ending in relegation but the following two seasons saw the Rams finish 7-3 and make the play-offs, meaning he leaves the club on the back of three successive years with a winning record.

A long association with the black and gold also includes a successful spell as a tight end, kicker and punter and he was a key part of the Rams squad which appeared in 2002’s second-tier Britbowl match.

Coach Pawson said: “This season’s results were not what we or I wanted to achieve this year and the committee have taken a decision they believe is best for the club, for me to stand down.

“I’d like to thank the previous committees that I have worked with as well as the players and in particular my coaching staff who enabled us to have three back-to-back winning seasons and two play-off runs.

“There is a saying of leaving something better than you found it. Four years ago I was asked to step in as the head coach, I turned up that first evening session to eight players on a muddy field.

“I leave with a playing squad of 50-plus players, playing in the home of Britbowl, John Charles Stadium, but unfortunately not the return to the Premiership which was one goal I set. The foundation has been laid to hopefully be built upon.

“I have been involved in the club from player to youth coach to head coach and have some fantastic memories. Thank you to my previous head and positional coaches and everyone I rubbed shoulders with. It has been a great ride.”

Assistant General Manager, Adam Cowley added: “David has been a great asset to the Rams for the past 4 years. The foundations that he has laid will be the standard that the club will continue to build on for many years to come.

“He and his family have been a huge help to the club on and off the field and will be missed by many. He has been my coach, I’ve coached alongside him, a confidant on committee issues and hopefully we will we remain friends going forward. I hope to see him plying his coaching trade somewhere new soon as he has a lot to offer. Thank you Dave”