North of Tyne Rugby Partnership – School Rugby Manager
As part of the continued development of Rugby Union across Northumberland, North of Tyne Rugby Partnership are looking to employ a Schools Rugby Manager supporting Northern, North Shields and Wallsend Rugby Clubs. The role will be self-employed on a full-time basis supporting the development of rugby across local educational establishments, working to the targets of the clubs involved in the Partnership. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with the drive to succeed in Rugby Development and facilitate the transition of players from education to club environments for the sustainability of the game. The role will involve working with other coaches and partners across Northumberland County and will include some evening and weekend working.
Please see attached a Job Description and Person Specification for the role.
Please apply with an Expression of Interest email or letter linked to the Job Description / Person Specification, describing your suitability for this role, along with examples of your previous experience in delivering similar activity. If you can then send to – Claire Sharpe – claire.sharpe@northumberlandrfu.co.uk
Job Title: School Rugby Manager
Location: Home based, school and club sites
Role
The School Rugby Manager (SRM) Role will be supporting 3 clubs namely; Northern, North Shields & Wallsend as a collaborative, to increase their presence and relationships within the local area through; supporting, developing and transitioning players from schools and other community settings through a variety of initiatives. The role will have strong focus on developing across the age groups and genders identified by each club as their priority. Building participation in the bottom layer of the participation pyramid using T1 Rugby, Sevens, Contact Rugby, Leadership & Off-Field Programs and other initiatives.
The SRM will also play and active role in coach development. Supporting local teachers and club coaches in increasing their knowledge, confidence and ability to deliver in a sustainable manner. Through building relationships with local educational settings and with club members, you will help to strengthen their capacity and performance through the delivery high quality coaching and mentoring with a wider group of players, voluntary club coaches and linking potential coaches into local opportunities.
With direction from your management group, you will work to develop a strategy for the partnership clubs to increase the playing, competition and volunteering opportunities across the area. This will lead to the transition of both players and volunteers from the education to club environment. As a key part of the sustainability of senior rugby, a focus will also be placed on how to support the transition of Colts into senior rugby.
The role will be part of the wider delivery strategy across Northumberland Rugby Union (NRU) and would also be working with other key partners such as; Newcastle Falcons, Cluster Coaches, Other School Rugby Managers and as such would be part of the wider Coordination Group for NRU.
The SRM will receive support from the RFU and other partners and would have multiple networking opportunities throughout the year.
Accountabilities:
- Introduce and grow rugby union into a cluster of secondary and primary schools, ensuring sustainable rugby delivery in all partnership schools by the end of the agreed period.
- Introduce T1 Rugby (non-contact) to both boys and girls.
- Engage more young people in rugby union, through using student voice to understand previous barriers to participation and school-club transition and adapting offers based on this insight.
- Work in collaboration with local clubs using local insight to develop and enhance school-club links and transition.
- Support transition of rugby participation from primary to secondary then onto further education.
- Upskill teachers and young leaders in rugby union delivery.
- Advocate for rugby union as curriculum activity and support staff in achieving RFU accredited courses.
- Provide rugby union as an extracurricular activity.
- Enable students to participate in new rugby competitions/festivals.
- Support progression and expansion of rugby union within schools where it is already delivered
- Link and build partnerships with other RFU local delivery partners, community departments in rugby clubs (if applicable), local RFU staff and local school/college rugby providers to ensure a joined-up approach within geographic area which maximises investment.
- Lead on local delivery of national RFU participation programmes
- Collect and report on data relating to agreed Key Performance Indicators.
- Provide good new stories, case studies, models of good practice and insight which can be used across other partnerships.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Have credibility to lead high quality rugby development in schools
- Self-motivated and able to work under their own direction to achieve stated objectives within the necessary timescales and demonstrate a determination to follow through tasks.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to engage and influence at all levels.
- Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the role.
- Enhanced DBS check.
Desirable
- Educated to A-Level or equivalent
- Understanding the needs of local community rugby clubs.
- Hold RFU Level 2 or equivalent coaching award or teaching qualification with experience of delivering rugby in a community setting
- Experience of delivering staff training / CPD opportunities or upskilling staff.
- Experience of working in partnership with other organisations to increase participation in a club or school.
- Understanding of P.E. delivery within a secondary and primary school environment.
Skills and Personal Attributes
- Able to present themselves as a model ambassador for the employing agency, the RFU and each of the participating schools
- Ability to problem solve and find solutions, that overcome barriers to participation in school and clubs.
- Ability to engage, collaborate and influence a wide range of individuals within a school setting, such as pupils and teachers and with external partners.
- Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships internally and externally with the ability to influence upwards.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, particularly in the delivery of activity.
- Able to communicate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
- Highly self-motivated and able to work under their own direction to achieve stated objectives within set deadlines.
- IT literate and competent in the use of Microsoft Office Applications.
- An effective team member.
- Able to balance a determined application to work with a sense of fun and enjoyment that is conveyed to others.
Performance Indicators
- To plan and deliver a planned an annual programme that will engage, retain and transition players from educational sectors and into senior rugby.
- Participation of local schools in a variety if festivals across the NRU jurisdiction.
- X number of sessions and transitional opportunities to be agreed with Line Manager.
- A monthly report to feed back to the North of Tyne Rugby Partnership Management Group on progress.
