Back-row forward George Willmott will team up with Jersey Reds’ Championship squad after regularly impressing in the Zoo Sports Shield. He has been on the radar of the club’s pro arm for quite a while now and has been given specific help on a strength and conditioning programme. His contract is reward for some outstanding displays – both on and off the park.
A Siam Cup debutant in Guernsey last May, 20-year-old Willmott will join his new team-mates on a full-time basis early in the summer.
He has strong roots in Jersey as his mother Julie was born on the Island, and the family made the move back to Jersey after he completed school in England two years ago.
Jersey Reds director of rugby Harvey Biljon said: ‘George is a player who I’ve watched while representing the Athletic – he’s shown great potential and also a good attitude during recent months when he’s spent some time training with the first team. He now has the opportunity to push on in a full-time professional environment and really make the most of his ability.’
Making his first steps on a rugby field as a mini for Lutterworth RFC in Leicestershire, and progressing up to the club’s Colts XV, Willmott spent three years at Millfield School in Somerset where his rugby coach was former Bath and England prop John Mallett. On returning to Leicestershire after his GCSEs, he attended Brooksby Melton College on a BTEC Sports Science Course sponsored by Leicester Tigers.
Willmott, who is also a keen sailor and qualified surf instructor, has some impressive rugby pedigree in his family tree in the form of his great uncle, former Richmond and Scotland captain, and British and Irish Lion, Peter Kininmonth. He will officially start his contract in June when the Reds’ squad convenes for pre-season training ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
More in Thursday’s JEP.
