Medway Park Crusaders hope to appoint a new coach in the next week after James Vear quit to take up a dream role in Canada.

Club chairman Jesse Sazant, pictured, revealed he helped promotion-winning director of basketball Vear land his job as assistant coach at a university side in Halifax.

He said: "I have a lot of respect for James and he leaves with our best wishes – we’ve been working on this move for a while.

"He took over here in difficult circumstances, turned the club around and played a massive role in leading us to promotion."

Vear, 31, leaves for Canada in August and has the qualities needed to succeed, according to Sazant.

He added: "He’s keen to learn, works hard and is good at motivating players and understanding the little things that change games. He should do well."

Sazant is close to appointing a new coach to build on Vear’s excellent work.

He said: "We’re a way down the line with one coach. We should know within the next week if he’s going to join us."