The Coventry Jets have welcomed another graduate from the ranks of their Academy system.
Wide receiver Jonny Muanza will make the step up after two years with the Jets Junior team, joining quarterback Joe Brammer and fellow receiver Alex Preece. Muanza emerged as a talented receiver during 2011, his speed taking him deep for several long gains as the Juniors landed on the verge of a first ever playoff berth.
Born in Kinshasa, the Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Muanza moved to Coventry in 2000 and is currently studying Product Design at Stoke Park.
Interestingly, the 19 year old joined the Jets after losing a bet with Head Coach Paul Rickhuss “I’d always liked watching American Football and had seen the Jets play in 2009 but I started playing after meeting Coach Rickhuss. He used to coach at my school and ran into me while I was playing basketball, he challenged me to a game of 1 on 1 and that if I lost I would have to come training with the Jets. I took the challenge thinking I would win but didn’t. I kept my word, came to training a few weeks later and never looked back.”
Rickhuss is delighted to have Muanza aboard “Jonny’s a talented young lad but he’s going to be joining one of our deepest units. We have an abundance of good young receivers so he’ll have to work hard to earn a place on the field. He’ll get time though and I’m sure he’ll contribute right away.”
“I love the game and I love this team” said an excited Muanza ”you can’t help but be impressed by the winning history that this team has. We’ve been working very hard right since the end of the 2011 season to show that last year was just a blip. I’m eligible to play another year of Junior but I’ve shown that I’m capable of playing Senior and I’m hoping for a bigger challenge to better myself as a player.” If you’d like to join Jonny and the Jets visit their new website www.covjets.com.