Most people might be suffering from post-festive blues, returning to work miffed and miserable, but Basil Richards isn't one of them.

The former Huddersfield Giants forward is now eight months into his role as assistant coach at the Grattan Stadium and loving every minute of it.

"I spring out of bed each morning," he says.

"It's a pleasure to come to work here; all the coaching staff arrive with a smile on their faces.

"I'm doing what I've always wanted to do and there's a great vibe around with the new season about to start.

"Steve McNamara has done an exceptional job and created a really good environment. We just can't wait to get going now."

When McNamara took over from Wigan-bound Brian Noble a third of the way through last season, one of the first things the new head coach did was promote Richards to be his assistant.

The pair had been team-mates at Huddersfield and, since his retirement, Bradfordian Richards had already worked part-time with the Bulls youngsters.

But McNamara offered him the chance to step up to the senior ranks and he grabbed it, handing in his notice at Kirklees Council where he had worked as a sports development officer.

Having helped steady and steer the club through a rocky remainder of 2006, Richards - who was joined by another former Giant in the shape of Lee St Hilaire - is now looking forward to help stamp his own mark on proceedings in Super League XII.

"We're really optimistic about this season," continued the 41-year-old, whose brother Craig was the former Northern prop.

"I think Steve has shown great judgement in his signings with people like Glenn Morrison and we've got some strong personalities with strong work ethics.

"Last year was hard to say the least but it also proved to be a really good learning curve.

"Everyone came through it in the end and what happened then will hold us in good stead for this year."

Richards concedes the transition from player to coach is a difficult one.

"You'll never get that buzz you do from playing - coaching is nothing like it," he says. "But, if I'm honest, I don't miss the playing side.

"When I look back at my career, I lost my desire to play at a certain level but I'm glad I'm still involved now as a coach.

"I wanted to learn as much as I could here and am doing that all the time.

"I like trying to pass stuff on and educating while helping to try and develop the younger players as well.

"I'm coach of the under-21s and that's something I'm really keen on this season.

"I think we could have a good little team there and we need to be a strong base for the first team.

"The young lads need to perform week in, week out and keep up the pressure on them."