Reds drumming up home support ahead of first home match

Friday 12 September 2014

Jersey’s new rugby team have been off the pitch and meeting fans ahead of their first home game of the season tomorrow.

Supporters had the chance to meet the whole squad in the Royal Square this week as the club tries to engage more with Islanders.

The Reds are gearing up for their first match in the Greene King IPA Championship after their slightly disappointing away draw at Moseley last Saturday.

Meanwhile their opponents Doncaster Knights will be out for revenge. They were the Reds’ relegation rivals the year before last and lost out in a winner-takes-all encounter on the pitch at St Peter.

Doncaster went on to win the league below last season and are back fighting to stay in the Championship this time around.

With a new team many of the Jersey players will be making their first competitive appearance and are hoping local supporters will be there to cheer them on.

The team is determined to do more for their fans this season when they are not on the pitch. As well as giving Islanders more chance to meet them, they will be working with schools and Highlands College to encourage more youngsters into the sport who’ll be invited to see them in action as they train.

Coach Harvey Biljon said: "Being a professional rugby player is not about 80 minutes during the match. It’s about preparation, maturity, how you conduct yourself and how you act as a role model.

“There is such a huge emphasis on how you conduct yourself – I believe that small things make a difference. So that means going to see the youngsters at the Academy, and spending time talking to the supporters, remembering their pleases and thank you’s, not leaving cups and saucers lying around, and sweeping up the changing rooms. We don’t believe in big egos. It’s not about ‘look at me, I’m a professional rugby player’."

Later this month the lads will be sporting pink strips for their next home match in support of local charity After Breast Cancer.

They’ll play last season’s play-off semi-finalists Rotherham Titans on Saturday 27 September.

Female supporters are being encouraged to wear pink to the game and there will be prizes for the best hat, best dressed and the highest heels!

Kick off for tomorrow's match at St Peter is at 3 pm.