DEWSBURY RAMS forward Matt Garside says he will miss playing Rugby League when he hangs up his boots at the end of this season.
The 34-year-old is going into his third campaign with the club after moving from Halifax, and has taken on assistant coaching duties.
He started out at Gateshead (now Newcastle), and has also played for York, Sheffield, London Broncos and Bradford.
The secondrow is now aiming to help relegated Dewsbury make a quick return to the Championship under Paul March.
“I love Rugby League and what it brings – the friendships and the camaraderie, but I know I am not going to be playing forever,” he said.
“This is definitely my last season playing and then, hopefully, I will stay involved and help out in some capacity.
“I am doing my coaching qualifications and a did a sports coaching degree at university, so I’ve been looking forward to getting into that side of things.
“I am trying to experience as much as I can of that this season and try and help out the Rams.”
Talking to the Dewsbury Reporter, he added: “I can provide a bit of a link between staff and players.
“I like to think I am pretty relatable for the lads and I am trying to help out some of the younger boys and give them as much support and guidance as I possibly can.
“Looking back, seasons may have come and gone and passed by without me thinking too much about it. But now I am trying to be as present as I can be and be around and active in every session.
“I am aware that, as a player, it is going to be my last season, and I want to try and enjoy it as much as I can, then see what happens next.”
