Gary Stead isn’t finished with coaching.
Just months after stepping down as Black Caps head coach, the 53-year-old has returned to the cricketing fold — this time taking up an interim role with the Otago Volts.
And while the position is temporary, Stead has made it clear: This is not retirement.
"I want to stay involved in coaching. I still feel like I’ve got something to offer but there’s no set plans at this stage," he said.
Stead’s stint with the Black Caps officially ended last month, wrapping a near seven-year tenure in charge of the national side.
But he hasn’t had much time to put his feet up, answering an SOS call from Otago Cricket after head coach Ashley Noffke resigned to take up a role with the Pakistan national team.
"I’m just trying to put a bit of structure into trainings and plan a preseason for them," Stead said.
"With no head coach on board, that’s fallen on my lap, it’s great to give some ideas, challenge the players thinking a little, and try take their game to another level. Any job you go into you go into and make a difference and that's what I’ll do in the short time I’ll be here."
Stead is no stranger to the domestic cricket scene, a former title winning captain and coach with Canterbury. Now, he's making a weekly nine-hour round trip from Christchurch to Dunedin to help guide the Volts through their preseason.
"Pretty stoked, to be honest to have a coach of his calibre," said Volts vice-captain Max Chu.
Otago Cricket Pathways Manager Shawn Hicks agreed.
"As soon as we found out, we were excited the players and us coaches. It’s about making the most of having Steady here."
Stead's contract runs through until September, with a permanent coach expected to be appointed before the domestic season begins.
So what's next?
"I don’t know, to be honest," Stead said.
“I’m just keeping my options open. When you're with the Black Caps for six or seven years, I just want to make sure I’m enjoying what I’m doing. Coming to a new place and seeing some new players rejuvenates you and I guess makes you think a little differently as well.”
He's also not ruling out part-time work offshore.
"I’ve got people looking out for me overseas," he said.
"But we’ll wait and see what comes up. there’s no guarantees at all. The reason why I finished with the Black Caps was it was seven years on the road so I'm not ready for a full-time gig overseas."
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