CAMELFORD Rugby Club have appointed former Western Province hooker Tyrone Jordaan as their new head coach for their tenth anniversary season.

The 38-year-old, who now lives in the town after moving over from South Africa, takes on a side who finished in mid-table of Tribute Cornwall League Two — the bottom rung of Cornish rugby.

Last season they won just two of their 14 league games before Christmas in the Tribute Cornwall League before they were placed in Division Two when the league was split into two following the winter break.

In the first part of 2018 they fared much better against weaker opposition, winning five of their 12 encounters, although the table was highly affected by a number of fixtures being cried off.

Despite the challenges facing Jordaan, who has a rugby diploma from his time at Western Province Academy working with former Springbok coaches Harry Viljoen and Pieter De Villiers, he is confident that he can progress ‘’The Ford”.

He said: “I used to coach a lot back in South Africa and I wanted to get back into it because I can’t play anymore because I have pins in my back due to a car accident.

“I found out about the job when Nic (Osborne) posted on one of the Camelford selling pages and my wife mentioned it to me.

“I then contacted him to make my interest known and we sat down and had a meeting. I always believe that you have to start at the bottom and work your way up and this is a good challenge to identify where the club is at and see how I can help them ahead of next season!”

Club president, Nic Osborne, is hopeful for some stability on the coaching side after a number of years without it.

He said: “We have always had a problem securing a dedicated coach for the club.

“Over the years we have had a number of people who have stepped in to help, but have not had a set person during our last two seasons.

“Over the years we have had Noel Etherington, Ray Cole, Wayne Roberts and myself but we hope that Tyrone will be fully committed and give us at least a year of dedication.

“Tyrone approached the club to offer his services for the coming season so that he can begin to develop a coaching career in the game.

“It is a totally voluntary role, but we will pay for him to do any coaching badges he wants.

“He has demonstrated a highly enthusiastic nature and good knowledge of the game and he wants to be successful and develop as a coach at the highest levels, so we’re a great stepping stone for him.

“He’s already shown a great deal of commitment by turning up to graft at the rugby force day and by joining us at the annual dinner and awards evening when he was presented to the club.”

Although he’s only ever seen one Camelford match, Jordaan has been in contact with the players.

He said: “I have been on the club website taking notes but there hasn’t really been a structure to their coaching and I wanted to step forward and give it to them.

“I’ve spoken to most of the team and most of them told me that if there was a clear structure and one voice it would be a lot better. I want to create a harmony and better place for young people to learn.

“We’ve done a roll call to see how many players we have and we have more than enough for a team but we’re also very mindful that people work on some Saturdays and that and family come first.

“We’re also looking for and are keen to welcome new players, but I think that with a little bit more understanding as to what they can and can’t do, and working together as a team, we can help the team achieve what’s needed.”

Jordaan believes that finishing in the top two of the league and doing well in the Clubs Cup is realistic.

He said: “The Clubs Cup is the end goal for the this season and that’s what I want the players to work towards, and in the league we’d like to be first or second and that’s certainly not impossible.”

The club started their pre-season preparations on Tuesday night (July 3) at their Lane End home with the first competitive game scheduled for Saturday, September 1 when they travel to Redruth Albany in their first of four group games in the National Senior Vase which is for clubs in Step Seven and lower.

Their league programme, which includes just ten fixtures, starts on Saturday, October 20 when they make the long trip down to Stithians.

They’ve also scheduled home and away friendlies against Bodmin seconds, Bude seconds and Helston before the Cornwall Clubs Cup, which is for teams in Division One and Two of the Tribute Cornwall League, gets underway on Saturday, March 23.

If they win their group they’ll then take on the other group winners in the final.

Training takes place every Tuesday at 6.30pm. If you’d like to get involved with Camelford RFC, contact Jordaan on 07484924389 or by email at [email protected]