Jon Higgins

Profile

Jon is a Redditch lad who started his rugby career as a five year old turning out on a Sunday morning in the mini section at Bromsgrove Rugby Club. Mind you, he was probably looking for any excuse to get out of the house. "I'm one of six children, with three older sisters and two younger sisters." The fly half explained. Jeepers creepers! Jon must have spent his Sunday mornings productively because although he didn't play any rugby at school, by the age of 15 Worcester had noticed him and approached with a view to joining their Academy. Inside a year Jon's rapid development saw him representing England at 16 Level, alongside current Stour team mates Adam Billig and Ben Gerry. "We played Scotland and Wales, though results went against us I guess as I can't remember the scores." Selective amnesia is a wonderful thing.

At eighteen Jon was offered a full time professional contract with Worcester's 1st XV and was involved in a series or near misses as Worcester strove to make the final jump from National One into the promised land of Premiership. "There were always a couple of banana skins along the way and we invariably managed to find them. We always seemed to fall at the last hurdle." Worcester lost out to the likes of Leeds and eventually had to do it the hard way. "We had to go to tough opposition such as Plymouth and Exeter and win, gaining promotion through winning all 26 games in the campaign." Jon reflected on a job well done. He identified Exeter Chiefs as the team to watch this season. "They have an incredible set up, great stadium, are getting the playing side sorted out and like Bath, Gloucester and Worcester don't get any competition from a local football team."

However Worcester's Promotion to the Premiership proved to be a poisoned chalice for Jon who didn't get the game time he'd hoped for. Unfortunately the way senior squads are set up these days they don't give you much of a chance to get back in when you're out of favour. "Whilst some players might be satisfied with the kudos of being associated with a Premiership club, I'd much rather be playing rugby. I was offered the chance to go to Coventry where I ended up playing fly half outside future England scrum half - and local lad of course - Shaun Perry. It was great to be one half of that partnership I can tell you." Jon recalled fondly. That relationship also gave me the chance to use the expression ‘Tipton Welder' for the first time in a long while.

After a season at Coventry's new Butts arena he moved onto Bees where he linked up again with former Worcester Academy and England 16 team mates Billig and Gerry. "Jim Jenner had just moved to Stour though I know him well anyway." This summer Jenner and Higgins crossed paths as Jon moved to Stourton Park after two seasons at the Bees, and Jim moved in the opposite direction, returning to Sharmans Cross Road after a couple of years as a key member of the Stourbridge 1st XV. "I met with Mitch in the summer, though I knew Stourton well through junior rugby and many of the players, who I'd either played with or against over the years. Apart from Ben and Adam, Peter Knight and Ben Hughes go back to our Worcester days."

"I knew from Mitch that after a couple of seasons based around great experience in the 1st XV, Stour were looking in a different direction and this year - and the next couple of seasons - will involve a very young squad." Jon knows it won't be easy. "We have had many young debutants already this season and I hope to be able to help them develop, and gain experience at this level." It has been a tough start to the season but that's the cards the fixture list dealt us. Jon's experience will be key to pulling us through what will be a testing season

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