The Medway Park Crusaders are in talks with potential candidates to take over as head coach after James Vear (right) announced last week that he is stepping down to become the new assistant coach at Dalhousie University, Canada.

 

Vear, whose crowning glory was to become the first Crusaders coach in history to lead the team to silverware - EBL Division 2 Playoff Champions - is set to leave the UK in July and hop across the pond for the Tigers 2012/13 season.

 

In his three year stint as coach, Vear picked up a 40-34 win-loss record, and took the Kent-based side from a mid-table Division 2 side to a top eight Division 1 outfit.

 

He will now join the Dalhousie Tigers Head Coach, John Campbell, (GB Men's U20 Assistant Coach), in Nova Scotia.

 

Following his announcement Vear said: "I heard about the position through Campbell as we had an ex-graduate of Dalhousie this past season - Joseph Schow.

 

"We had been in contact over the past few seasons regarding potential import players and he had expressed an interest in me coming over to be an assistant this upcoming season. So we started the ball rolling after Christmas to see if I could obtain a visa.

 

"We haven't had a chance to sit down and discuss specific roles, but he knows I am very ambitious and I'm sure he will push me to become a better coach while I am there."

 

Vear, who was only 27 when he was hired by Crusaders' Chairman, Jesse Sazant, had the following message to give to all those involved at Medway Park: "My time at Medway has been invaluable to me becoming a better coach.

 

"I have to say a huge thank you to Jesse who believed in me to take over the men's squad when a lot of teams might have looked for a more experienced coach. 

 

"I have had some great players since I have been here and have managed to keep a great core group from the start.  I have to thank all of those players as they bought into my philosophy from day one and without them I wouldn't have had the success we have had over the past three seasons."

 

He concluded by saying: "Lastly I would just like to thank everyone affiliated with the club. There are a small group of people behind the scenes who do a huge amount of work and without them the club would not exist.

 

"I am sure the club will continue to grow and get bigger over the coming seasons and with some great young talent coming through the future is very bright for the club."

 

Sazant had the following message to say about his departing coach: "James has done a fantastic job with our men over the last three years. He has made a huge impact across the club during his time with us.

 

"As a club, we pride ourselves on putting people's development at the forefront of everything we do. We are really pleased that we were able to help James move on to an opportunity to coach full-time abroad.

 

"James has worked incredibly hard on his coaching to continuously develop and improve. He fully deserves this opportunity and I'm sure he will make the most of it and continue to progress."

 

Sazant added: "We are currently talking to potential coaches and hope to have something to announce soon - we are looking for another ambitious coach, who can come to us to develop and move on to full time coaching opportunities."