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Kemp set to quit troubled Wakefield

Monday 07 August 2000 00:00 BST
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Tony Kemp, the Wakefield Trinity coach and former New Zealand Test stand-off, is to quit English rugby league at the end of the season.

Tony Kemp, the Wakefield Trinity coach and former New Zealand Test stand-off, is to quit English rugby league at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old former Castleford and Leeds player announced his unexpected decision on the eve of troubled Wakefield's home game against Wigan yesterday.

The Wildcats' future has been clouded by financial worries that culminated in the recent departure of John Pearman as chief executive and Kemp, disillusioned with the uncertainty, is thought to be returning to New Zealand.

"After a lot of thought and discussion with my family and advisors, I wish to tender my resignation from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, effective at the end of the 2000 campaign," Kemp said.

"This has not been an easy decision to arrive at," he added. "However, given the current unstable situation at the club and its inability to give any assurances and direction with regard to my future, I believe, in fairness to my family, that I need to move on.

"I'd like to thank the management and playing personnel for the opportunities and camaraderie they have given to me over the last two years. After a long, successful football career, I will miss many aspects of the game but it is my intention to continue my involvement at some level in a coaching capacity in the future."

Kemp, who played for the Kiwis in the 1995 World Cup, joined Wakefield from Leeds two years ago and succeeded Andy Kelly as coach in May.

* The Brisbane Broncos came back from 20-6 down to beat Cronulla 34-20 in Australia's National Rugby League play-offs. Eliminated along with Cronulla are last season's winners, the Melbourne Storm, who lost at Newcastle. Next weekend's sudden-death play-offs will feature Penrith against Parramatta and Sydney City against Canberra.

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