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Meet Jason Batiste
User 39465731 Oct 2013 - 14:20
Guernsey are targeting another full-house of points this Saturday and a clear policy of mixing the best of local talent with classy overseas players
GUERNSEY travel to Westcombe Park on Saturday targeting another full-house of points and a clear policy of mixing the best of local talent with classy overseas players of real experience.
For some years now, one of those local boys, has been the centre Jason Batiste, who will be striving to get back into the starting XV after starting on the bench in the fantastic win at Bury St Edmunds.
Only Jordan Reynolds, the coach, can answer whether the younger and smaller Batiste in the squad, whether he will be in the starting side but whether he is or not the young Guernseyman is lapping up the ways of the club in its centenary season, with a string of overseas players at its core.
Jason has no complaints.
‘People tend to use professionals with this question but to be honest with you I like to use the people around me as my influences,’ he said.
‘I mean, we have some great players who have played a high level of rugby in Malcolm Barnes, Nick Barton, Jordan Reynolds and Blair Campbell.
‘I like to try and seek their advice. They are big influences on me and are always willing to help and push your game forward.’
The 22-year-old client assistant at Heritage insurance management, says Guernsey rugby as evolved and will continue too.
‘It has changed dramatically since when I started. It is a more professional outfit and the standard of the team has shot up because of the likes of the Kiwi boys drafting in the team.
‘Fitness levels are hard to maintain, but we train regularly and on Tuesday we do fitness before the session starts.
‘A lot of the boys do their own fitness outside of rugby. We all dread the Reynolds fitness sessions as he tends to beast us.’
As for his relationship with his brother Layton (24.
‘Layton and myself are very different. He's a bit of a moaner where as I'm a bit more positive on the pitch.
‘Our relationship is a typical brother relationship, we fight, we argue but at the end of the day we are brothers.
‘We like talking to each about our performances and it's great we play in the same team, especially because we are both local we have a lot of pride playing for Guernsey.’
Jason has played across the back-line but definitely sees himself as a 12 or inside centre.
‘I have played there for four or five years now and I consider that to be my position. I’m not quick enough for the wing yet.
It’s a big year for him on and off the pitch.
‘My rugby ambitions is too keep playing for Guernsey and hopefully achieve promotion. I'm getting married next year so have no plans to move away from the island.’
For some years now, one of those local boys, has been the centre Jason Batiste, who will be striving to get back into the starting XV after starting on the bench in the fantastic win at Bury St Edmunds.
Only Jordan Reynolds, the coach, can answer whether the younger and smaller Batiste in the squad, whether he will be in the starting side but whether he is or not the young Guernseyman is lapping up the ways of the club in its centenary season, with a string of overseas players at its core.
Jason has no complaints.
‘People tend to use professionals with this question but to be honest with you I like to use the people around me as my influences,’ he said.
‘I mean, we have some great players who have played a high level of rugby in Malcolm Barnes, Nick Barton, Jordan Reynolds and Blair Campbell.
‘I like to try and seek their advice. They are big influences on me and are always willing to help and push your game forward.’
The 22-year-old client assistant at Heritage insurance management, says Guernsey rugby as evolved and will continue too.
‘It has changed dramatically since when I started. It is a more professional outfit and the standard of the team has shot up because of the likes of the Kiwi boys drafting in the team.
‘Fitness levels are hard to maintain, but we train regularly and on Tuesday we do fitness before the session starts.
‘A lot of the boys do their own fitness outside of rugby. We all dread the Reynolds fitness sessions as he tends to beast us.’
As for his relationship with his brother Layton (24.
‘Layton and myself are very different. He's a bit of a moaner where as I'm a bit more positive on the pitch.
‘Our relationship is a typical brother relationship, we fight, we argue but at the end of the day we are brothers.
‘We like talking to each about our performances and it's great we play in the same team, especially because we are both local we have a lot of pride playing for Guernsey.’
Jason has played across the back-line but definitely sees himself as a 12 or inside centre.
‘I have played there for four or five years now and I consider that to be my position. I’m not quick enough for the wing yet.
It’s a big year for him on and off the pitch.
‘My rugby ambitions is too keep playing for Guernsey and hopefully achieve promotion. I'm getting married next year so have no plans to move away from the island.’
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