Ozdemir and Banks bolster Cherries’ coaching set-up

PAIGNTON have unveiled the new coaching team they hope will take them into the South West One promotion picture for the season ahead.

Head coach Mark Beavis has recruited vastly experienced prop Altan Ozdemir as a forwards’ specialist.

Ozdemir, 36 next month, has had a long career in the National Leagues, starting out with Harlequins followed by moves to Gloucester, Bedford, Leeds, Exeter and finally Plymouth Albion. He retired in 2006.

Albion have been using Ozdemir in a similar role for the past couple of seasons.

The other new face on the coaching roster is Simon Banks, who has been part of the colts set up at Exeter for a number of seasons.

Harry Langley, a former Newton Abbot team-mate of Beavis, has been brought in as a coaching consultant. He will work closely with director of rugby Stewart Cook.

Beavis still has Phil Bye on board as his number two, although the season will start without the former Exeter and Wessex flanker, who is serving with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan.

New players who have committed to the club are Ian Harvey, a second row who skippered Newton Abbot 2nd XV last winter, and Ben Mahon.

Mahon, a No.8, played under Beavis when he was coaching at Buckfastleigh. A shoulder injury has limited the former Newton Abbot colt’s appearances in recent seasons.

Said Cook: “Altan brings expertise in the front row in particular and the pack in general. We aren’t the biggest and bulkiest, so it pays to have good techniques.

“Banks has done a lot of work with the U19s and emerging players at Exeter and brings expertise gained with a top club.”

FORMER Newton Abbot coach Trevor Harris, who was released at the end of last season after guiding the club to promotion into National Three South West, has recently been appointed as the coach of Cornwall & Devon side Withycombe.

Assisting Harris at Raleigh Park is ex-Brixham coach Joff Rowe.

BRIXHAM RFC are staging a touch rugby competition for all the family next Sunday (Aug 1).

Mixed teams of children and adults will be put together on the day. There will be six in a team.

Start time is noon and all are welcome.