Jersey Reds can confirm that Head of Athletic Performance Jim Molony is to leave the club at the end of the current season in order to take up a new role with Guinness Pro14 side Benetton Rugby.
Molony moved to the Island in February 2015 to take up the role of Strength & Conditioning Coach, having formerly worked for Connacht and Munster in his native Ireland.
The 36-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the ‘Lions’, based in the northern Italian city of Treviso, and will take up his new role on July 1st.
Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said he was sorry to be losing a key member of his back-room team, but pleased to see another Jersey Reds 'graduate' earning an opportunity with a top-level side.
"Jim has been a fantastic support for me and helped establish the culture of commitment and professionalism we have at the club,” Biljon said. “We have had many players here with the raw materials and rugby ability to get to the top level, but they’ve needed good conditioning as well and Jim has set really high standards in that respect.”
Biljon said he hoped the Italian weather would agree with Benetton’s new signing.
“Sometimes in Jersey you get all four seasons in one day, but Jim’s out there in his shorts whatever the conditions!” he added. “We’re very grateful for his contribution and intend to give him a good send-off at the end of the season.”
Club Chairman Mark Morgan said: “I would like to personally thank Jim for what he has contributed to our project over the past six years. He is an exemplary professional and sets a great example to all around him. It’s really exciting to see another of our team being rewarded with an upward move and I wish him every success.”
Molony said: “I'd like to thank Harvey for giving me the opportunity to come to Jersey and everyone I've worked with during my time with the Reds. I'll be sorry to leave the Island, having made some good friends over the past six years, but I'm also excited to have a new challenge with a Pro14 club."
The Reds are preparing for the delayed 2020/21 Greene King IPA Championship season, which will start on March 6th. After a bye on the opening weekend, the Reds will take on Saracens on Saturday March 13th - the full fixtures are available HERE.
