Welcome to our February newsletter. If you are a Jersey Reds newsletter and didn't receive this newsletter by email this morning (Monday February 20th), please contact William Church so we can check we have your correct email address on file
Reds mean business as crucial phase of season kicks off
The business end of the 2016/17 season kicks off this Friday, with the first of a series of crucial home matches for the Reds, who secured a thrilling 33-37 win at London Scottish on Saturday.
Yorkshire Carnegie are the visitors for this week's Friday Night Lights encounter - the match kicks off at 7.45pm and will be the first chance to try out the new pitchside supporters marquee. The marquee has moved to a new location adjacent to the Barclays Pavilion and places are available for a hot main course, followed by cheese selection, for just £10.
Opponents Carnegie are second in the Greene King IPA Championship table and the Reds will be seeking to get one over on the Yorkshire side after sustaining a 35-29 defeat after a battling performance at Headingley back in October.
Advance tickets and marquee spots can be booked online with Eventbrite (click for link), or email Sean Dunne to book your marquee meal.
Knock-out action coming to St Peter
For the first time ever, St Peter will stage a major cup knock-out tie on Friday 10 March.
Cornish Pirates are the visitors for the British & Irish Cup quarter-final, which kicks off under the Friday Night Lights at 7.45pm. Admission will be available at the reduced rate of £12 (non-members) and £10 (members), and advance tickets are available via Eventbrite (click for link).
Dates for the Diary
Don't forget the remaining Championship matches at St Peter during March and April:
Key members of coaching team commit to the future
At the end of January, it was confirmed that Head Coach Harvey Biljon would be staying with Jersey Reds until 2021 after signing a new four-year contract.
More recently, Strength & Conditioning Coach Jim Molony, who has been with the reds since February 2015, agreed a new two-year deal.
"It's great to have two key members of our coaching team confirmed for next season and beyond, giving the Club a very solid base on which to build for the future," said Chairman Mark Morgan.
You can head elsewhere on our website (click on pics above for links) to read about Harvey and Jim.
Siam Cup date confirmed
The date for the 2017 staging of one of rugby's oldest rivalries has been confirmed. Jersey Reds and Guernsey Raiders will do battle for the Siam Cup, sponsored by Ipes, at St Peter on Saturday May 6th. For full details, click here.
End-of-season car raffle
As well as watching the Siam Cup, on May 6th you have the chance to drive away in a brand new Audi A1 Sport. The end-of-season raffle also includes five cash prizes - £3,000, 2 x £1,000 and 2 x £500.
The raffle is an important fund-raiser for the Club and all supporters are encouraged to buy some tickets, but also to help sell them to friends, family members or work colleagues.
Full details are available from Cliff Chipperfield, or you can click here.
Land repayment fund and members' meetings 2017/18
At the recent Extraordinary General Meetings, a pledge was made that further meetings would be scheduled regularly, in order that members can be kept informed about the latest developments at the Club.
The following dates have been fixed and we hope you will mark them in your calendars:
Chairman Mark Morgan said: "Another commitment we made to the membership at the January EGM was that we would keep you updated regarding progress on building the fund to buy back our assets. We have now created four initial teams, each working on a separate project. Each project has the potential to generate substantial funds towards the repurchase.
"Most importantly, we already have put £55,000 in to the pot - and that's before any of the team have begun producing results! We will provide more detail at the AGM."
Spare seat on Charter Flight to Cornwall
A seat has become available on the 'Reds Air' charter flight for the forthcoming league trip to Cornish Pirates.
The 68-seat charter flight of playing squad and supporters leaves Jersey at 10am on Saturday March 4th, flying to Newquay. After a free afternoon/evening, or an optional tour of Skinner's Brewery in Truro, the big match is on Sunday at 2pm at the Mennaye Field in Penzance, after which the party returns to Jersey, landing back on the Island at around 8pm.
The cost of the return trip is £250 (flight only); you'll need to arrange your own accommodation on Saturday night. Transport is available on Saturday and Sunday at a small extra cost. Contact Tom Innes if you'd like to snap up this flight
Athletic look to push up the table
Jersey Reds Athletic have five remaining league games in their 2016/17 campaign and will be seeking to achieve the highest possible finish in division one of the Zoo Shield.
After an away game at Bury St Edmunds this coming weekend, the Athletic boys will be in action on Saturday March 4th at St Peter. Barnes are the opponents for the shield encounter, which kicks off at 2.30pm and will be preceded by lunch in the Clubhouse.
The trip to London Scottish Highlanders last weekend was cancelled as it was necessary for the 1st XV to take the seats on Friday evening's flight following the fog-related cancellation of their earlier flight. It's hoped the fixture can be rearranged in Match or April.
For all the Athletic results and fixtures, click here.
Ladies schedule pre-Siam fixtures
Although there have been no league games this season, our Ladies team has continued to train and will be contesting the Ladies Siam Cup against Guernsey Raiders on May 6th.
Two home friendly games have been arranged during March and April, for full details, click here.
