Jonesthephone

Ne Tentes aut Perfice -If somethings worth doing, its worth doing well

Like most people, I have many interests  when not working which allow me to refresh and recharge my batteries

Sport has played an important place in my life both for pleasure and as work I paid my way through college coaching squash, badminton and teaching swimming. I also learned to manage operations for the first time  organizing national & international sports events and entertainments.

I played both Rugby codes for 43 years ( longer than any other activity in my life except learning) and coached successful rugby teams in UK and France at a regional and national level. In the course of this I have made life long friends from amongst both team mates and competitors.

If asked which of the many turn a rounds I am most proud of, then  taking over as coach at Rugby Club du Mans team at a time when I spoke little or no French and after they had just been beaten 35-3 at home would have to number among them . During the course of 3 weeks we worked on transforming the team to play a completely different system of ‘ruck ball‘ rugby  and all the hard work of the players came to fruition when we won the return fixture by 50 –0.

We communicated in ‘pidgin’ English and French  and like most things the result of our work was in the balance until from kick off we executed our plans to perfection and went the length of the field in 10 crisp recycles of the ball and scored under the opposition posts. After the confidence boost of that ‘quick win’ for using the new method we all believed and the rest is history . We went on to reach  2 National semi-finals of cup competitions that year.

The French crowds even took to the crazy Englishman who stalked the touchline shouting  excitedly in pigeon French and was subsequently nicknamed “ l’assassin de la langue francais” or the assassin of the French language.

After returning to England  I coached Manchester under 19’s side and Lancashire Colts including future international  and professionals players.

During the last 2 years I have become engaged in International Motor Racing through helping motorcycle racer Gareth Jones  to establish himself as a rider in World Superbikes. Gareth won the 2009 New Zealand Supersport Championship series and placed 3rd in the NZ Zealand Superbike Championship. He is currently leading the Dutch ONK Superbike Championship in Europe.

In addition to my sporting interests I have always had a creative outlet and in the last 5 years I have enjoyed developing my skills behind a camera as a Sports photogtrapher and writing the race reports and articles for the global Motor cycling press.

 

Sailing my boat ‘Demi-Sec’ 0ff  Southport in Queensland Australia

On the grid with team Jones at Magny Cours France for the World Superbike meeting

My 50th Birthday Celebrated with an all day event—Golf tournament followed by Rugby match, boule and a marquee based casino event to finish.

Jones at Play

 

Krypton Factor 

Competitor 1981

Lancashire

County Championship final

Twickenham  2007

With Francoise in Le Mans

The only Prop I ever coached who could sidestep and go the length of the field to score

A good days Game fishing off Mauritius results in 3 good size Dauphin for the dinner table.

With Aussie Legend David Campesi in Sydney