Rugby Development structure and contacts

The structure of how Rugby Development goes about carrying out that work has changed recently.

The new structure sees Scotland divided into three areas: East, West, and Caledonia.

The East area is made up by Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian; the Borders and East Lothian; West consists of Glasgow North and Glasgow South; and Caledonia consists of Caledonia North and Caledonia Midlands.

Those areas can be seen on the map below.

Rugby Development key contacts

This new structure enables staff to better support and delivery community and pathway rugby.

These changes have been informed by the emerging Rugby Development strategy and planning with the intent to ensure we continue to grow and strengthen rugby at all levels throughout Scotland.

Our strategy aims to:

• Increase exposure to rugby to ignite interest and grow participation
• Create exciting and memorable opportunities to engage with rugby and keep players in the game for longer
• Strengthen links between community and performance rugby as part of an aligned, integrated pathway; and
• Support clubs to build environments that future generations aspire to belong to.

Regional Pathways:

The new Regional Talent Pathway and Game Development team will be led by Neil Graham in the role of Head of Regional Pathway and Game Development.

National age grade representative programmes (male and female) and performance coach development activities will be led by John Fletcher within the High Performance department.

Enquiries regarding regional representative player programmes (e.g. academy training) and all coach development activities should be directed to the relevant Talent Pathway Manager in the first instance.

All match official enquires should be directed to the relevant Match Official team member.

The new operating model for player, coach and match official development consists of:

• 3 x Talent Pathway Managers – responsible for leading programmes in their area to improve the quality of player and coach pathways in the game within identified clubs, schools and regional performance programmes.
• 12 x Talent Pathway Coaches (four per area) – are responsible for the delivery of regional player and coach development programmes.
• 3 x Match Official Development Managers – responsible for the recruitment, retention and development of match officials with their allocated area, each with a specific national strategic responsibility.

Regional Development:

The Regional Development team are led by Chris Hildrey in the role of Head of Regional Development.

The slightly adapted operational model for development will be supported by:

• 3 x Area Directors – alignment with pathways, key point of contact for a region and responsible for leading the strategic and resource allocation for rugby development activity.
• 3 x Regional Lead Managers – key point of contact for a region and responsible for the operational implementation of regional development plans, each with a specific national strategic responsibility.
• 6 x Regional Managers – responsible for the delivery of regional club and school development programmes.
• 3 x Youth and School Project and Partnership officers – responsible for the delivery of cashback school of rugby development programmes.
• 5 x School Rugby Officers – responsible for the delivery of schools development programmes.