It was business as usual at Malone rugby club last night when in coming President Sam Lemon welcomed Club officials, players and the media to Gibson Park to announce the club's new coaching team for the season 2015/16. The sudden departure of Head coach Jacque Benade placed Chairman of the Play ing committee Michael Kearney in the position of seeking out experienced coaches to fill the vacancy at short notice. There was also the opportunity for the playing committee to look at the coaching requirements for the 1st and 2nd XV teams as the club redouble their efforts to return to Div One of the Ulster Bank League. The hard work and commitment put in by the playing committee was rewarded with the confirmation of the new coaching appointments. The committee were also at pains to point out that the new coaches and the playing committee have agreed on a 3/5 year plan to reestablish Malone rugby club as a force within Ulster and Irish rugby.

1st XV Staff

Head coach:Jarrett Truscott
Forwards coach: Paddy Armstrong
Assistant coach: Mark Taylor
Physio/Strength and Conditioning coach: Conor Farrell
Team Administrators: Roy Sherman, George Martin

Second XV Staff

Coaches: Sam McBurney, Laurence Kelly

Team Administrators: Robert Scott, Harry Mcmurtry

Head coach Jarrett Truscott is currently coaching the Ulster women's team. The Sydney born coach has been living in Northern Ireland for 14 years, having spent a successful term at Instonians working alongside Clem Boyd and Niall Malone. Within Ulster rugby he worked as a Development Officer - coaching the Ulster under 19 squad.

He has also established a very successful photography business in the province. Along with the experienced Paddy Armstrong who is returning to coaching after taking a sabbatical last year on the back of a successful four year period at Queens Univ they will be joined by Mark Taylor who has been responsible for guiding the Malone Under 19 players at the club into adult rugby. Having identified the need to expand the playing squad at Malone the club has recruited two experienced coaches from Sullivan Upper in Sam McBurney and Laurence Kelly to work closely with the new Head coach in developing future 1st XV players.

These appointments by Malone rugby club will reinforce the belief they can bounce back from the disappointment of relegation last season from Div 1B to Div 2A. With friendlies arranged against All Ireland Junior Cup finalists Bangor on the 8th August and Ulster Qualifying league One champions Instonians on the 15th August the new coaching team will have a short window to prepare the players before Ulster Championship league action commences on the 29th August with Ulster Bank All Ireland League action commencing on Sat 12th September.

Despite losing several experienced players due to reallocation by Ulster rugby there is a consensus amongst the club faithful that this is a new beginning. There is a still an experienced spine to the team and they will welcome back long term injured players including James McAllister, Josh Pentland and Nathan Brown. This maybe the off season for most clubs but for Malone President Sam Lemon and Michael Kearney the month of June may have opened a new chapter in this famous East Belfast club. All club members and supporters need to get behind the new coaching team and players as they prepare for the new season. We wish them well.

The club would also like to congratulate the following players and coaches who have completed their IRFU level One coaching course. This includes:

Cory Tipping
Shane Kelly
Josh Pentland
Mark Taylor
Derek McCallion
Ross Ferguson.
Well done guys.