Benade For Ballymena
Jacques Benade is to succeed his fellow South African Steph Nel as head coach of AIB League Division One side Ballymena.
…Steph Nel has returned home to operate as a youth team coach with the Stormers Super 14 franchise in Cape Town…
Jacques Benade is to succeed his fellow South African Steph Nel as head coach of AIB League Division One side Ballymena.
The 37-year-old Benade has been appointed to the role after five seasons with Division Two club Malone. It was confirmed last month that Nel was stepping down after agreeing a deal with the Cape Town-based Stormers.
A former out-half and player-coach, Benade had a verbal agreement to coach Malone, but negotiations with the Braid men have proven successful.
Ballymena will be hoping Benade can turn their fortunes around. Since winning the Division One title in 2002/03, the Eaton Park club have failed to qualify for the play-offs for the past three seasons.
Nel guided them to a disappointing tenth-place finish in 2005/06, although they did share the First Trust Ulster Senior League title with Dungannon in November.