King: Tough times ahead
Havant begin their National London division-three campaign against newly-promoted Civil Service at Hooks Lane – Saturday 3pm start – with coach Adam King predicting another difficult season.
King returned to Havant at the beginning of last season and along with his coaching team, helped the club maintain their National status.
And the Southsea-based coach is under no illusions that it will be any easier this time around.
'It will be another tough season for the club and our target again is to stay at this level,' said King.
'When I arrived back here before the start of last season we were in a situation where we only had three first-team players at training.
'It is commendable to all concerned that we finished up in mid-table.
'To stay at National League level these days is not easy because of the financial budget available to other teams in our league.
'We are rebuilding as a club both on and off the pitch and have made good strides with the commercial infrastructure.
'On the rugby field our model for the club is to establish ourselves as the senior National League club in the area where local players can graduate and play their rugby at this level.
'It is important that we do things right and instil good ethics and values.
'That can be seen through the success of our Academy under Will Knight who ran two successful teams last season.
'Already players are starting to progress into senior rugby through that route. We are also embracing and re-establishing our links with the Armed Forces players – notably The Army and the navy.
'By playing at our level it can help them maybe force their way into the Army or Navy teams that play at Twickenham each year.
'We understand that being in the forces will take them away for periods of time but it is something we can work with.'
Havant have signed two members of last season's British Army squad, Welsh scrum-half Gareth Parry who previously played for Caerphilly and centre Gavin Ferguson who played at Pontypool.
Combined Services Under-23 back Chris Ramwell and navy back-row Will Cairns are also on board.
'Civil Service will be tough opponents having just been promoted,' warned King.
'They have been knocking on the door to come up for a while now and have a good financial backing.
'What we need to do, just like last season, is make it hard for clubs to take points off us.
'We only lost three times at home last year and two of those were against teams who finished first and second.
'Our main aim is to rebuild the club in short steps as a community club and at the same time retain a competitive product on the pitch.'
New arrival, Richmond number eight, Gavin Hart is expected to make his debut but the Robinson brothers Jarrod and Dan are still ruled out by long-term injuries.
The side that starts against the Surrey men will bear no relation to that which finished last term in a comfortable mid-table position, as the squad has been ravaged by long-term injury and unavailability.
However, this gives the chance for some new signings to get an outing.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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Tomorrow
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Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
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