More Signings For The Jets

Last updated : 18 June 2009 By Covsupport News Service

The Coventry Cassidy Jets continued to go from strength to strength as they unveiled two more new signings. Running backs Nick Jones and Mike Sinyangwe arrived from the Redditch Arrows in time to make their debuts against the London Blitz at the end of May. The pair saw limited action after having only trained with their new team mates once.


For Jones, the Jets become his third team of 2009 after brief spells with the Gloucester Banshees and then the Arrows. Born in California, Jones didn't take up kitted American Football until he moved to the UK, now resident in Tewkesbury and working as an internet sales executive, the athletic 25 year old has shifted to playing safety and feels quite at home in his new role.


"Safety feels like the position I should have been playing all along, it feels natural and plays to my speed and strength". Club Secretary Adam Etheridge concurred "I'm excited about the prospect of Nick playing safety. We've seen how well he's performed in training and know he'll carry that form onto the field. I can't wait for the fans to get a look at him this weekend, he's the sort of electrifying player that we've been missing since the departure of Neil Edwards".


On his transfer Jones' stated a desire to "play at the highest level. I want to play for Great Britain in the 2010 European Championships and there's no better place to get noticed then here at the Jets". Nick has an impressive pedigree, his father played safety at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles and was a Division I college prospect. Still living in San Fernando Valley, Jones' family are neighbours of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell.


"I arrived at the same time as Mike (Sinyangwe) so I knew someone straight away but the guys have been so welcoming that I feels like I've been here for years" continued Jones. "The coaches are excellent and I know that I'll improve quickly by being around them as well as players like Jeremy Simms and Mark Cohen". A former Warwick Wolves player, Sinyangwe also found some familiar faces at his first training session. "Apart from Nick I was pleased to see Jon (Dwyer) and Simon (Volkwein) had already joined the club".


Born and raised in Ealing, North West London, the 21 year old Biochemistry student was briefly with the London Blitz last year before helping the Arrows to the 2008 Division One final at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster. "I got injured on my first carry of the game and couldn't contribute as we eventually lost in overtime. In a way I feel as though I've got something to prove to myself".


Although he missed the majority of the final, Sinyangwe was named the Arrows' offensive MVP for the season leading them to a record of 7-2-1 in the ultra-competitive Division 1. Head Coach Gerry McManus was delighted by the signing "Mike is a tremendous back and exactly the sort of player that we're looking to bring to the club, he's young and he's hungry for success. We've always been strong at running back and whilst he's not the in the Steve Coles mode he will certainly help fill the void he left".


McManus got a glimpse of what Sinyangwe's capable of against the Farnham Fast Lane Knights last week, his two carries went for 25 yards and included a 17 yard touchdown that helped claw the Jets back into the game. This week sees a first ever match up against the Sussex Thunder and a quick return for former Jets' Head Coach Jim Roberson.


Apart from McManus, Roberson is the only other person to hold the title of Head Coach in Coventry's brief but storied history. Roberson's tenure was short, lasting merely months before his contract was terminated by mutual consent without seeing him so much as coach a single game. Although the Premier League new boys are yet to win a game they have put up spirited performances against the Aztecs and Knights and with Roberson's inside knowledge of the Jets a major scalp isn't out of the question for the Brighton based team.


A win for the Jets would put them in the driving seat for home field advantage in the playoff semi-finals and provide an almighty boost before their tough trip to Bristol next week. Sunday's game will take place at Coventry Sphinx FC, just off Siddeley Ave, with a kick off time of 14:30, for further information please check out the Jets' website at
www.cassidyjets.com.