The SRFU are seeking an experienced and visionary Honorary Head Coach to lead our England Students Men's team. Help shape the future of student rugby and develop high-performance players ready for the next step in their journey!
What is the SRFU?
The Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is a national Constituent Body (CB) of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The SRFU is the representative body for university rugby union in England with a particular responsibility for the governance, development, and growth of the game. We work in close partnership with both the RFU Player Pipeline Team and BUCS to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to the development and delivery of higher education rugby. It is a charitable company registered at both Companies House (Company Number: 04240029) and with the Charities Commission (Charity Number: 1087986).
The SRFU is led by a team of committed volunteers and supported by one employee. As a charity, the SRFU is governed by a board of trustees whose core responsibility is the general control and management of the administration of the organisation, including governance, budget and strategy.
The trustees have a responsibility for understanding the environment in which the charity is operating and for leading the charity in fulfilling its purposes as effectively as possible with the resources available, ultimately upholding the highest levels of governance.
The charitable purpose of the Students’ RFU is “the advancement of amateur sport”.
The charitable objects of the Students’ RFU is: “To administer, foster, encourage, extend and control rugby union football (“the game”) for the moral, mental and physical development of students at universities and other institutions of higher education in England”
What is England Students?
England Students is a men’s XV representative side for university and college students. It is an aspirational programme targeted at English qualified players that are not part of the England performance pathway or spend a significant amount of time in a professional rugby environment. Rather it is a development opportunity for student players; an international showcase event for student rugby to raise awareness of rugby in the HE sector and talent within.
The Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) have renewed their commitment to supporting the men’s England Students representative side for this season, to play long-standing rivals France Universities away, scheduled for mid-May 2025. Consultation and assessment of the desire and demand for an England Students Women’s programme is currently underway.
Role:
The SRFU are seeking an experienced and visionary Honorary Head Coach, England Students Men’s, to lead our England Students team. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of student rugby, driving the development of high-performance university rugby players and preparing them for the demands in their next steps in their rugby journey, with a strong history of players progressing into Championship Rugby and higher.
Nature & scope of job:
The successful candidate will have a clear coaching philosophy, excellent leadership skills, and a passion for developing young athletes. You will work with student players, assisting their transition from university rugby to professional pathways, while promoting a positive and inclusive team environment.
They will lead the coaching team and planning of the coaching programme for the season to provide a positive and successful playing environment. Provide high quality coaching to university rugby-based players to enable them to perform at their optimum level whilst at university.
Principal responsibilities:
Ensure the SRFU’s objectives are achieved for the England Students XV by leading the preparation of the team’s coaching programme to develop the skills and understanding of the players.
Lead the coaching and manage the contribution of the coaching staff to ensure the players receive the highest quality coaching, preparation and feedback.
Work in conjunction with the Team Manager to facilitate the selection of players from universities in an objective manner.
Evaluate all coaching sessions and games with the coaching team and players.
Provide constructive feedback to players to enable them to continue with their development.
Attend meetings related to the rugby pathway in universities.
Ensure that the coaching and playing squad present themselves as ambassadors for the Rugby Football Union and act within accordance of the Core Values of the sport.
Work with the Management team to ensure successful experiences for all members of the squad, including upholding any Code of Conduct, together with promoting rugby in hosting countries.
Knowledge, skills and qualities
Hold a minimum of a RFU / UKCC Level 3 Coaching Qualification or its recognised equivalent.
Demonstrates a track record of personal coach development.
Articulates and delivers a clear playing and coaching philosophy that is in accordance with the objectives of the programme.
Self-motivated, committed and enthusiastic about coaching rugby union.
Has significant experience of coaching within the student/university game at a high level.
Is strongly biased towards a Player Centered approach to coaching.
Creates an environment that balances player development with team performance.
Is able to lead & manage people.
Is able to articulate and deliver sound coaching processes relative to the programme.
Has a sound understanding of the university rugby pathway for players.
Sets high standards of personal accountability, reliability and responsibility for the players and staff.
Is able to work effectively with other members of the Management Team.
Accountabilities:
The post holder is accountable to the SRFU Performance Pathway Lead and Operational Delivery Team for the successful delivery of the responsibilities as outlined above.
Reports to:
SRFU Chair.
Key relationships:
England Students Management Team, SRFU/RFU Operational Delivery Team, University Rugby Leads, BSR League Management Committee, BSR coaches.
Commitment:
The term for the position is 2 years subject to annual review, with a further two years by mutual consent.
Apply:
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your coaching approach, relevant experience, and why you are the ideal candidate for this role to e.blackborough@studentsrfu.com.
Closing date is 30 November 2024
Panel interviews will be held online in December 2024
For more information about the role, please contact e.blackborough@studentsrfu.com.
Students’ RFU is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our players
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