Stevenson Takes Up Player-Coach Role With Bangor
Ulster Bank League Division 2C club Bangor have announced that former Ulster and Connacht lock Lewis Stevenson will be joining the Seasiders in an important player-coach role.
After enjoying many years playing professional rugby at Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins, his native Ulster and most recently Connacht, Lewis Stevenson is now embarking on the next stage of his career.
The 32-year-old lock, who also played for both the Ireland Wolfhounds and Emerging Ireland, is excited at the prospect of starting his coaching career, while also experiencing Ulster Bank League rugby on the field of play as well.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge and I’m really looking forward to it and I think this is a good first step for me into the coaching side of things,” he told the Belfast Telegraph of his new role with Bangor RFC.
“I put out feelers when I knew I was coming back here again and a few different clubs got in contact, but Bangor really impressed me with their ambition and where they saw themselves going. That impressed me and clearly they intend to get stronger and build towards getting to that next level.”
Bangor are delighted that Stevenson has chosen to join the team at Upritchard Park, and look forward to ‘benefitting from his wealth of experience in helping to develop the next batch of young rugby talent at the club’.
In a statement, they added: “We have assembled a young and exciting coaching team, led by Jason Morgan, with Lewis filling the role of forwards coach, along with Ale Aletise supporting in the set piece coaching.
“We believe this combination within the coaching team will not only have the experience to deliver a high standard of rugby but also the drive to push the club forward and develop our young talent in the seasons ahead.
“Lewis’ impact to the playing side will add much power and excitement, and will provide the extra injection that we believe will help to move our entire club to the next level.”
After winning an historic Ulster treble and promotion to the senior ranks just over twelve months ago, Bangor got off to a strong start in Division 2C but injuries hampered them badly during the league campaign. They scrambled well to finish an eventual eighth in the table, five points clear of relegated pair Boyne and Kanturk.