Tasman coach calls it quits
Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:07
Despite having a year left to run on his contract, Dennis Brown has stepped down as coach of the Tasman Makos. Brown said the decision to leave now had been made with the mutual agreement of the Tasman Rugby Union. Although Tasman entered the inaugural 2006 Air New Zealand Cup very light on premier rugby experience, they were still competitive by claiming wins over Manawatu and Northland in year one, followed by further wins against Manawatu and eventual semi-finalist Hawke's Bay this season. "Sometimes the right decisions are not always the easiest and I have enjoyed my time coaching the Makos immensely," said Brown. "But you do reach a point where you feel that you've offered all that you can. "That is the time when the best thing to do is to step aside to allow someone else the opportunity to introduce some new ideas and thinking to take the team forward." Tasman chief executive Lee Germon hailed Brown's contribution to the country's newest provincial union. "We're grateful to Dennis for all that he has done for the Makos in our first two seasons of operation," he said. "Assembling a combination from two provincial unions to take on the best teams in the country in the Air New Zealand cup was never going to be an easy task. "Dennis achieved that and presided over a competitive Makos team that is a tribute to his effort." A decision on Brown's replacement is expected to be made within the next few weeks.
