Trio join for league assault
MAIDSTONE have made three signings in preparation for next season’s assault on London 2 South East.
Caleb Van De Westerlo, a fly-half from New Zealand, has left Scottish Premiership side Currie to join the newly-promoted club.
Meanwhile, former Heathfield & Waldron tighthead prop Ollie Smith will line-up against his old team as a Maidstone player in 2013-14. And Denmark international Josh Jensen – playing a sevens tournament in Amsterdam this weekend – completes the trio of new arrivals at Mote Park.
Maidstone head coach Andy Foley said: “I’m excited. We’ve been in London 2 in the past but we’ve got a much better group of players now.
“We’ve got such a young side and we’re fairly ambitious, so the competition will be good for them. Some of the younger guys have been playing first-team rugby for a few years and they’re going to thrive in this competition.”
Willie Brown, Maidstone’s 1st XV player-of-the-year last season, is staying on as a player-coach after delaying his return to New Zealand.
Foley said: “Caleb was Willie’s replacement. It gives us an interesting headache. It’s going to be competitive, that’s the key.
“I’m pleased that Willie’s hanging around because he’s got a lot to offer in terms of coaching.
“Van De Westerlo comes from a semi-professional set-up. People like him, Willie Brown and Ollie Smith believe in our set-up and ambition.”
Maidstone’s players will report for pre-season training on June 4. James Leverington is set to play a big part in their summer work after being brought in as strength and conditioning coach.
Foley said: “I’ve known James for a while and we’ve always got on well. We’ve had conversations in the past and now we’ve decided to work together.
“We’re getting GPS for all the players so we can monitor their activity on matchdays and in training.
“They’ll wear a monitor with a chip and we can upload all the data to see how far they’ve run.”
The club have arranged three pre-season friendlies. Maidstone will visit Tonbridge Juddians on August 17 and Portsmouth on August 24 before entertaining Sheppey on August 31.