Welsh Rugby Union Group (WRU) chief executive Martyn Phillips will further change the company’s Executive Board structure when replacing outgoing head of rugby Josh Lewsey in the New Year.
The former head of rugby role will be divided into two new executive positions with a ‘head of rugby performance’ and a ‘head of rugby participation’ to be appointed early in 2016 – a job description for the latter role is already available here (http://wru.wales/vacancies).
The move follows a full strategic review, undertaken by Phillips during his first two months at the helm of the governing body for the national game in Wales, and signed off by the WRU Board earlier this month.
The new WRU head of rugby performance will focus on the professional and semi-professional game in Wales, developing the high performance strategy and ensuring a close working relationship between national team management, regional and Principality Premiership coaches.
They will also lead the development of bespoke programmes for players identified as future national talent.
The role will also have responsibility for ensuring that Wales performs to its potential in international pathway competitions including women’s, sevens and national age grade and will ensure a clear purpose and ambition for Principality Premiership rugby in Wales.
The new WRU head of rugby participation will provide a voice for the community game on the WRU’s Executive Board, driving participation levels in the amateur game with a renewed focus on mini, schools, youth, women’s and 2nd team club rugby.
Key responsibilities will also include ensuring a clear purpose and ambition for the National leagues up to SSE SWALEC Championship level, increasing participation of all rugby formats, both traditional and alternative and providing a focal point for referees, coaches and volunteers, driving personal development and improvement in these key roles.
“My research around Wales throughout the autumn has helped me enormously in deciding on an effective structure for our Executive Board,” said Phillips.
“The ‘head of rugby performance’ role principally needs to be the glue that joins our professional and semi-professional game together.
“We have a significant opportunity to align and share our ambitions and this role will be crucial to ensuring a more effective working relationship between Warren and his team, the regional and premiership coaches and the international pathway teams, against a high performance backdrop.
“Sharing expertise, resources and know-how amongst these key groups will give us a distinct advantage that will, in time, reflect in our performances on the pitch at all elite levels.
“Equally important is the introduction of the ‘head of rugby participation’ role, as it has become clear to me that the community game needs a voice at the Executive Board table.
“Critical to the long term health of rugby will be our ability to listen to and work with a passionate club base in Wales.
“We need to take the passion which has historically made us great as a rugby nation and combine it with a modern perspective to find a formula that works for our communities.
“We want and need to give our supporters a compelling reason to reconnect with the club game and fill the grounds up again.
“We have a responsibility to leave a strong legacy for future generations of supporters, players and volunteers.
“Rugby is in our DNA in Wales and I’m excited about an individual joining us to lead the charge on driving participation, whether that be in addressing retention issues in youth and 2nd XV rugby or taking opportunities to grow the game for men, women and children of all ages, abilities and lifestyles via various forms of the game, from 15 a side to touch and beach rugby.
“We are a rugby organisation and this increase in rugby representation in senior roles can only be good for the game in Wales.
“We will never be the biggest nation but we can absolutely be the most agile and joined up. Our players and supporters have the potential to bring a pride to the shirt whether that be club or country that few others can match. We need to cherish that.”
The WRU has previously announced another change to the Executive Board, with the introduction of a new head of digital role to focus on building our own digital content and its distribution through social media channels – also to be appointed in the New Year.
Next year the WRU Group chief executive will begin to share the purpose, vision and strategy for Welsh rugby to all interested parties and groups via various events and district meetings and other methods.
