Jersey RFC have received a boost to start 2015 with the
announcement that Assistant Coach Steve Boden has signed a new
contract with the club extending until summer 2017.
"This is great news for us and means Steve will continue the major
contribution he makes as we move into the second half of the
current season and prepare for the future," said Chairman Bill
Dempsey. "With Harvey Biljon starting his second full season as
Head Coach in 2015/16, we will have very strong foundations for
strengthening the club's position in the Greene King IPA
Championship."
"The first half of 2014/15 has been another challenging period for
the club, and it is creditable to have achieved a solid mid-table
placing as we start the New Year. While we have one eye on the
future, the priority is to build on what we have achieved so far
this season and register more league wins in order to consolidate
our position."
Boden, 32, (pictured above) came to Jersey in 2012
after spells with Leeds and Doncaster in his native Yorkshire. His
career as a combative hooker was ended by injury midway through his
first season on the Island, but he has since taken on a coaching
role and took temporary charge of the Jersey squad at the end of
2013 prior to the appointment of Biljon in January 2014.
"I'm really pleased to be staying with Jersey," Boden said. "I
think Harvey and I have worked well together as a coaching team -
we have the same approach in many respects, but we also challenge
each other and he's helped me improve as a coach."
Harvey Biljon added: "Steve and I have a good relationship and he
has played a big part in shaping the team in being competitive on
the field and developing the right culture off the field. I'm
looking forward to continuing this work together as we build for
the future."
The JRFC coaching team will have a new Strength & Conditioning
Coach for 2015 following the departure of Jake Aliker, who is
leaving his role to take up new position with the Toro Rosso
Formula One team.
Aliker (pictured above) is to act as personal trainer
for Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver who at 17 is set to become the
youngest-ever F1 Grand Prix driver when the 2015 season commences
in March.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and one that I couldn't
turn down," Aliker said. "But it was a difficult decision - I've
become very attached to Jersey over the past two-and-a-half years.
I was very lucky to get the chance to come here straight after
finishing my internship in London, and it's been a great experience
for me to work with the Jersey squad at the start of the club's
time in the Championship."
Bill Dempsey commented: "It's disappointing to be losing Jake, but
he has a great opportunity to take his career in a new direction.
He has played a key role in ensuring our players have been in the
right condition to play competitive Championship rugby and he goes
with our thanks for everything he's done and best wishes for the
future."
Dempsey added that the club anticipate signing a new Strength
& Conditioning Coach in the coming weeks.
Jersey play their first game of 2015 tomorrow away to Cornish
Pirates. The Islanders' opening home game of the new year will come
a week later when league leaders Bristol are the visitors to St
Peter on Saturday January 10th (kick-off 3pm).
