BOP Rugby extend coach McMillan's contract to 2019

WELL DESERVED: BOP coach Clayton McMillan, with the Rugby Cup won by Bay of Plenty in 1976, has extended his contract until end of 2019 season. Photo/photosport

There is further good news for Bay of Plenty rugby in the build-up to the season opener against Taranaki today.

Clayton McMillan has extended his role as Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach and director of rugby through to the end of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.

McMillan's previous contract was set to expire next year after the 2017 season.

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers says in a release "this was an easy decision to extend Clayton's current contract".

"Clayton has already contributed significantly to the outcomes we are currently achieving.

He is motivated and committed to living our strategic vision and helping us gain future success.

"We are confident we have one of the best young coaches in New Zealand and having him contracted through to the end of 2019 will provide the consistency of leadership we are after, and continue to develop the environment that our players, staff and community will benefit from."

McMillan says he has thoroughly enjoyed the role since his appointment in 2015.

"I am passionate about our province and am humbled to have received a contract extension," he says.

"I believe we are a union on a significant upward trend who are committed to growing the game and creating a culture of success from grass roots right through to a high performance level.

"We have the capacity to be a major player in the New Zealand rugby landscape and I am hugely motivated to play my part in achieving that, alongside our staff, players, schools, clubs, administrators and stakeholders."