We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and passionate rugby coach and leader to join a dedicated team to lead one of our three women and girl’s Player Development Centres (PDCs) based in North Wales; PDC North.
In an emerging hot bed for women and girl’s rugby talent, the PDC Lead is responsible for creating an inspiring and transformational development environment for the next generation of national and international female rugby players in North Wales.
The PDC Lead will oversee and be responsible for delivering the PDC programme in North Wales, supporting players aged 14 to 23 in one of three distinct programmes (Emerging Player Programme; 14 - 16, Talent Development Groups; 16 – 18, and Performance Development Groups; 18+).
The scope of the role includes all aspects of player development within the PDC, with strong engagement with key stakeholders across North Wales being critical to the success of the national performance ecosystem. The role is instrumental in driving the PDC's player and personal development philosophy and standards (including integrating educational and professional needs) and in doing so drive forward the WRU strategic objective of ‘developing more and better players for the professional game and for Wales through life enriching experiences’.
Closing Date: 25 July 2025
Salary:£33,000 - £39,000 per annum
Contract Type:Permanent, Full Time Hours
Location:Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, North Wales/Remote
The Person
The successful candidate will be educated to degree level in sports management, sports science, or coaching, and will hold a minimum of a WRU Level 3 coaching award (or International equivalent). They will also hold, or be willing to achieve within the first year, the TASS ‘Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support’ qualification.
The successful applicant will be an experienced rugby coach with a proven track record of developing and transitioning talented rugby players and strong knowledge of the needs and requirements of players aged 14 to 24. Supported by a sound understanding of contemporary talent development science and experienced in designing, delivering, and evaluating talent development programmes, they will have the ability to lead by example in creating engaging, inspiring, and challenging high performing learning environments and manage individualised long-term player plans that balance long and short-term goals.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, a proven ability to build strong relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of ambitious shared goals, and the ability to convey complex information clearly to a variety of audiences are all essential. As the central leadership role in the PDC, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, operational planning and disciplined budget management, with the ability to manage and lead a cohesive, high-performing team of staff committed to delivering excellence in player development.
The Role
By being the central leadership role in the PDC, the role is responsible for delivering all aspects of the PDC programme in North Wales.
This will be achieved by:
1. Developing and implementing an aspirational and ambitious strategy for the PDC that will realise the purpose and intended outcomes of the PDC in the North Wales
2. Leading and managing the PDC programme, planning and delivering services for players in the PDG (Performance Development Group – 18 +), providing a minimum of 10 to 16 hours of contact time per week, with additional hours focused on individual development.
3. Overseeing, leading, managing and delivering to the TDG (Talent Development Group (16-18). This group will have 2–3 satellite training centres connected to PDC North. Each satellite services 15 to 25 players, providing a minimum of 6 to 10 contact hours per week.
4. Provide rugby coaching services (both training and matches) to girl’s rugby programme at the PDC’s partner tertiary college, Coleg Llandrillo.
5. Providing leadership and line management to the PDC coaches and staff working with the PDC and Satellites, ensuring there is a coherent, progressive, and integrated approach to the biopsychosocial development of players.
6. Ensuring operational excellence, finance diligence, and proactive communication.
7. Within all PDC programmes, optimising high quality, progressive and needs-led coaching, training and developmentally focussed competition opportunities for North Wales’s most high potential players, aligned to individual player plans that develop the person, the player, and the performer (athlete).
8. Designing, implementing, delivering, and managing a player profiling approach that informs both player identification, selection, and development
9. At designated times within the year and at the discretion of the Women’s Pathway Manager & Coach, fulfil national responsibilities to the WRU National Women’s Pathway, and in particular, the National Women’s Pathway programmes (U18 and U20).
WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
* Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution,matched by WRU)
* Life assurance scheme
* WRU Group Ticket Allocation
* Employee assistance programme
* Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
* Free stadium parking and gym
* WRU Group store andtour discounts
* WRU Group partnershipoffers
* Eye Care Voucher Scheme
* Cycle to Work Scheme
Our Values
The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.
Inclusion At The WRU
The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Diversity monitoring
We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.
To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form.
None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes.
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