Islander Harry Doolan signs professional contract with Jersey Reds

Jersey Reds' first team squad will feature home-grown talent once again next season after islander Harry Doolan signed professional terms.

The 18-year-old hooker is the first Jersey-born player to join the Reds in several years and the first product of the club's junior section to come through since James Voss, who left St Peter in 2018.

"It's amazing, it's been a dream for sure when I was younger", Doolan told ITV News.

"Getting a contract was the pinnacle, I just need to keep on working now and see where I can go".

"If I get a decent amount of caps for Jersey I'll be happy", he said.

Doolan, who started playing rugby at Les Quennevais School, was invited to train with the Reds first team earlier this year after impressing in the club's amateur Athletic set-up.

"We saw a young man that's got the potential, not only to play for Jersey, but the raw materials to really kick on", said Reds director of rugby Harvey Biljon.

"He showed real commitment during that period - he wasn't able to get involved with scrums and some of the live contact because of his age, but his attitude around everything else was absolutely on point."

Doolan has signed a four-year contract and will be given more game time with the Reds Athletic next season as he continues his development.

"It's something we've been waiting for, we want to give young Jersey guys an opportunity", said Biljon.

"When you see someone like him coming through with that sort of work ethic and determination, I think it's going to be great for everyone."

Doolan will join 15 other new summer signings at the club, with pre-season training set to start next month.

  • WATCH: Jersey Reds director of rugby Harvey Biljon on Harry Doolan...