Kevin Sharp has been delighted to be back working in the first class game this summer as Worcestershire's batting coach and second eleven coach – and he brought a top notch pedigree with him to New Road.
For Sharp played a role in the development and progression of a host of players during his spell with Yorkshire including Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and current skipper Andrew Gale.
He was brought into New Road initially on a temporary basis last winter but has since been appointed full-time – along with Elliott Wilson as Academy coach – after Academy director Damian D'Oliveira sadly passed away in mid season.
The former Yorkshire batsman will never forget the support he received from Damian after initially clocking in at New Road.
Sharp said: "It is an opportunity that came around unexpectedly. Last Christmas, Steve asked me to come and work with the pros on the batting coaching. I was delighted to do that and it has turned into a full-time job.
"I left Yorkshire nearly three years ago now and I got on with things. I set up my own business in coaching and development with a business partner.
"Things happened for me. I got a job in a school in North Yorks, I went back to work coaching for Shropshire, who I had played for as a pro a few years ago, and I coached them last year.
"That was excellent and very enjoyable, coaching lads whose fathers I had played in the same side as many years ago.
"But the opportunity to get back into the first class game was an offer I was so excited about.
"The one thing I missed was working with the best players on a daily basis and to have that opportunity again is very exciting."
Sharp was indebted and grateful to the backing he received from Damian D'Oliveira.
He said: "Damian and I have known each for many years. We are of a similar age, we had played against each other a lot and in those days you tended to socialise a bit more and got to know the opposition a lot more.
"The Yorkshire-Worcestershire relationship was always a good one and I remember many a time we'd go in the corner for a pint with Dolly.
"When we've bumped into each other the years, we've always had a pint and passed the time of day and got on very well.
"When Steve rang me and asked me to come down here, it was great to bump into Dolly again.
"He immediately made me feel very welcome the moment I walked through the door.
"When he went off ill in March, he pretty much gave me his blessing to get on with the job and that was very special, something I feel very humble about, the fact for all the passion and energy he has put into this club, for him to embrace someone else to help and support him in managing his duties, it was very humbling.
"As soon as Brett (D'Oliveira) came back from abroad this winter, he was the same."
*Sharp will be revealing his special bond with Worcestershire stretching back more than 30 years, his involvement with Yorkshire and his excitement at working with the pool of young talent at New Road in another website article.
*We will also be featuring new Academy coach Elliott Wilson and his aspirations for the future.
