Jersey Reds have secured the services of Harvey Biljon for four more years - the South African Head Coach has signed a new contract that means he'll remain in charge of the Reds' squad until summer 2021.
Biljon moved to the Island at the start of 2014, having previously been Assistant Coach at Cornish Pirates. His first role was to help the Reds avoid relegation at the end of 2013/14, since when they have surged up the league standings over successive seasons, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup last season.
Chairman Mark Morgan said:
"I'm delighted that we have been able to extend Harvey's time at the club for a further four years. It sends a great message to our staff, players and supporters about the faith Harvey has in our future plans and his desire to be a part of those.
"In my time working with Harvey, I have grown to know a man of great integrity who works extremely hard and who is totally committed to the Reds. He also has a great eye for young rugby talent and, along with his support team, he provides an excellent learning and growth environment for the players of tomorrow. This will be important for our future plans as a club.
"Harvey's contribution has helped us become an established presence in the Greene King IPA Championship; now I am looking forward to working with him over the coming seasons and gaining yet more success for Jersey Reds."
Harvey Biljon said:
"I'm very glad that the Club are happy with the way that the squad has come on. I have a clear ambition for how we want to move ahead and believe that we are very much heading in the right direction and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
"Jersey is a special place - the connection between the Rugby Club and our supporters, and the Island as a whole, is unique. My family has settled well and they love it here, and we're all really pleased that we'll be here into the future."
Biljon added that as well as focusing on the current Championship and B&I Cup campaigns, he would now be looking to build for the 2017/18 season and beyond.
"The Club had a 'speed-bump' at the end of 2016 but we've now been able to stabilise and map our future as a professional Championship team, and planning for next year's squad - which will involve both retention of existing players and recruitment of new faces - is a crucial phase."
Former London Wasps scrum-half Biljon, 39, came to Jersey after four-and-a-half seasons in Cornwall - during this period the Pirates won the British & Irish Cup in 2010 and twice reached the Championship play-off final. Previously he was a player and Director of Rugby at Blackheath from 2006 to 2009, and also coached the England Counties representative team for two seasons.
Born in Uitenhage, South Africa, Biljon attended Durban High School and later played for Natal Sharks at U20/U21 levels before moving to Europe and joining Wasps in 2000.
