COVENTRY RFC’s trip to the Island over the weekend highlighted the “solidarity and sense of community” within the sport of rugby, according to Jersey RFC’s chair Dan McAlister.
Coventry had been set to face Jersey Reds on Saturday in the first game of the Championship season for the two clubs, however, after the Island’s only professional club ceased trading, the match was cancelled.
In spite of the news, Coventry decided to make the journey to train, as well as lead a clinic for Jersey’s U15 and U16 academy players.
McAlister said: “The weather was particularly bad in the morning and Coventry still trained.
“Then to spend an hour putting our U15 and U16 academy members through their paces was fantastic.
“Those sorts of moments with players of that calibre, you remember forever, and they are so important to our academy players’ development.
“To have that level of support from a mainland club is invaluable and really shows the solidarity and community aspect of rugby.”
Coventry head coach Alex Rae has a real affinity with Jersey, having spent four years with the Reds, including being given the captaincy in his first season.
His side brought across experienced scrum-half Will Chudley, back row and former England international Matt Kvesic, as well as Tongan fly-half Patrick Pellegrini, fresh off the back of his nation’s latest Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
The Coventry players stayed at the club for lunch, and also showed support for Jersey RFC in their Regional 2 South Central victory over Salisbury.
“The majority of people stayed through the day to support the Jersey RFC men,” added McAlister.
“We probably had 600 up there for their fixture with Salisbury, which is incredible given the conditions on the day.
“It is key for us to ensure the future of our academy, and days like that really go a long way towards that.
“We are all working very hard to protect the club and the noises from the first few weeks are very encouraging.
“There is a lot of work to do, but we will ultimately get there.”
Remarkably, this was not the first time Coventry have rallied behind the Island in their time of need.
In 1955, Jersey hosted an international “Festival of Sport” in order to boast numbers in the aftermath of the Second World War.
The West Midlands side came over with a host of international players at the time to play Jersey.
The showcase event finished 33-8 in favour of the visitors and played a huge part in the festival and aiding the progression of sport in Jersey.
McAlister continued: “It was amazing to learn of their visit in 1955.
“We passed the newspaper cutting to John Sharp, their executive chairman, who wasn’t aware of the match.
“They’re all about community and sustainability within the club, which is really what we are also, with a much smaller catchment area.
“It was quite incredible to learn of their history in supporting the Island and the fact that last weekend wasn’t the first time they have lent a helping hand to bail out the Island, so to speak.”
Jersey RFC Minis and Juniors have enjoyed a wonderful start to their respective campaigns, and McAlister’s primary focus is set on protecting their future, and the production line for future generations of local rugby talent.
