Ford’s arrival helps Olver keep big dream in focus
JOE FORD’S arrival at Doncaster Knights has been a ‘breath of fresh air’ and kickstarted Sam Olver’s drive for a return to the Premiership.
Fly-half Olver, 26, is working closely with backs coach Ford, below, and is the Championship’s leading point-scorer with 54.
Knights won their first five league games before defeat to Saracens last weekend and Olver says the key to their upturn is head coach Steve Boden’s desire for his squad to dream big.
Olver said: “Bodes’ biggest thing from the start has been that he wants this squad to want to go on to better things; we don’t want to just be in the Championship, we want to play in the Premiership.
“There is that ambition and dream that Doncaster can get promoted which drives standards naturally, knowing everyone wants to go on to bigger things.
“Bodes has brought in a young and enthusiastic squad. It’s a positive place to be, young guys wanting to train hard, get better and we’re reaping the benefits.”
The former England U20 star is in his third season at Castle Park and is one of only nine players who remained when Boden overhauled the squad after succeeding Clive
Griffiths. Olver is reaping the rewards of working with ex-Leeds and Leicester fly-half Ford, who is in his first full-time coaching role at just 30 after a player-coach role at Leeds.
“Joe’s been like a breath of fresh air,” Olver said. “He’s very new out of playing the game and he’s really helped the backs develop, both one to one and with shape in attack.” Since starring for England U20s Olver, son of England hooker John, spent four season at Northampton and one at Worcester but struggled for game time. “The biggest thing Joe’s done is instill confidence in us,” Olver adds. “He makes you want to go out there and play and backs your decisions. It is really refreshing knowing you’ve got the confidence and backing of your coaches.
“At Saints and Worcester I was chucked in every so often whereas as soon as you get a set of games you start to build confidence, that’s been key for me.
“I’m pleased with how I’m performing and we’ve not fully clicked yet, there is a lot more to come. The club can’t compete on salaries but we just get on with being the best we can be. If you want to go to the Premiership that’s the attitude you’ve got to have.”