10/01/2019

Jersey Reds have confirmed that Assistant Coach Neil Tunnah will remain with the club into next season.

The 39-year-old Scotsman, who arrived on the Island in May 2017, has agreed a new contract with the Reds and will start his third season on the Island this summer.

Tunnah will continue working alongside coaching colleagues Harvey Biljon, who passes five years in charge of the Reds this month, and Ed Robinson, who came on board in 2018.

Chairman Mark Morgan said: "I'm delighted to have a settled coaching unit for next season, especially so early in the current campaign. Along with the great progress we are making with the playing squad, it allows all concerned to focus on what promises to be an exciting second half of the season for the Reds."

Tunnah played as hooker for Jedforest and Watsonians in Scotland before ending his playing career in 2010 and moving to Australia, where he forged a growing reputation as a coach. This included stints in the semi-professional grade rugby set-up in Sydney with Gordon, Northern Suburbs and West Harbour Pirates. He coached alongside former Wallaby player and Munster Coach Jim Williams with the Greater Sydney Rams, one of the clubs making up the professional top tier of domestic rugby in Australia, the National Rugby Championship. His primary role in Jersey has been to work with the Reds' forwards.

Head Coach Biljon said: "The continuity that we bring by retaining Neil is really important. He has built a good relationship with the players, our lineout is functioning well and our scrum is progressing. Neil's determination to work on continued improvement to our set piece is something that will continue to drive this group of players."

Tunnah, who moved to the Island with his wife and two young daughters, said he was very pleased to be staying in Jersey.

"My family are very happy, my wife has a great job and the kids are settled at school, and that's as important as the rugby. I've been working with a great bunch of players and I'm excited to be involved as the club evolves. It enables us to plan for the future, while at the same time making sure we have a strong second half to this season."