New coach for Jersey Rugby

Thursday 02 January 2014

South African Harvey Biljon has started work as Head Coach for the Jersey Rugby Club.

The 36-year-old former London Wasps scrum-half will work alongside Forwards Coach Steve Boden who has spent the past month in interim charge of the club, following the resignation of Ben Harvey, who quit in December last year after more than five and a half years in the post.

JRFC Chairman Bill Dempsey said: 'We wanted to appoint someone to take charge and consolidate our position in the Championship after a challenging first half of the season.

'Some high-calibre rugby CVs have been considered, but we are convinced we have found the right man for the job, and are grateful that Cornish Pirates have agreed to release Harvey (Biljon) from his contract.'

Biljon said: 'This is a really exciting opportunity for me after four years coaching in the Championship, and I can't wait to get started.

'My first priority will be to sit down and talk with Steve Boden and then to the players, and then I can begin reviewing the structures at the club over the coming weeks and plan how I intend to move things forward.'

Last month Dempsey had said caretaker boss Boden would be given time and support to develop in the role. It was thought he'd stay in charge at least until the end of the season and was still boss for Jersey's match against London Welsh at St Peter on Saturday. He'll now revert to his role as Forwards Coach.

Dempsey said: "Steve is a young coach with great potential and the players have responded well since he took charge. We believe working with Harvey will provide the club with a very solid coaching team, as well as enabling Steve to make further progress in his coaching career.'

Biljon joins the Island side from Cornish Pirates, where he was Assistant Coach. He had four-and-a-half seasons in Cornwall during which time the Pirates enjoyed considerable success, winning the British & Irish Cup in 2010 and twice reaching the Championship play-off final.

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.

Biljon has signed a three-year contract with Jersey and has moved here with his wife and two young children.