Bell moves to coaching

ST JACQUES' new coach is eager for his side to make a flying start to the season. Guernsey's all-blacks open their Jersey Rugby Association League campaign away to Beeches tomorrow afternoon and Jon Bell believes that a win is vital if the Sarnians want to improve on their lowly league position of last season.

'Last season we lost by three points to them in a very close opening game. We want to emulate that performance, but win the game,' he said.

'The aim this season is to do well in the Jersey League. We did quite badly last year and I would like to finish above Wanderers and Beeches who finished just above us last time.'

At 27, Bell is taking up the role as club coach at a young age, but he has decided to give up playing because he cannot risk injury being self-employed and he wanted to stay involved.

That is just part of a management team shake up which has seen Stefan Bampton become club chairman and his previous role as club captain switching to Steve de Jersey.

Bell said the experience of players such as Bampton and de Jersey had proved invaluable to him since he started coaching.

'It has been very good. We have got a lot of older players with a lot of knowledge here and I am trying to tap into that and exploit it,' he said.

'I am learning quite a lot, I have been watching a lot of rugby and reading coaching books and I played in England for two years and that has helped me - I learnt a lot over there.'

'Now that I cannot play, I want to put something back into St Jacques and I can always call on Stef or Steve for a hand.'

Training has gone well, although Bell would like to see the number rise from the current level of about 25 up to 35-40, especially with the club having a game virtually every weekend whether it is the first team or vets. He has also identified the area of St Jacques' game he wants to develop.

'Our strengths have always been our forwards. It would be nice to get some back play going, we have lacked it for the last couple of seasons and I want to improve that.'

One addition to assist that is South African fly-half G. M. Smit who, the coach reported, was impressive during St Jacques' pre-season win in Sark.

But it is the team spirit that is filling Bell with enthusiasm about his side's chances.

'I'm very optimistic. It is a good bunch of boys and I think we can do something this year. I am definitely looking forward to it.'

For anyone interested in joining St Jacques, training is held at 6pm on Wednesdays at the KGV and more information can be obtained from Stefan Bampton on 251807 (h), 07781 404487 (mobile) or e-mail bamptons@-cwgsy.net.

Alternatively, you can visit the club website: www.stjacquesrfc.com.