IRFU (Ulster Branch) / Ulster Rugby

U18 (Clubs) Head Coach

Volunteer Role Description

Main role:

This is an exciting opportunity for a volunteer to become involved in the development of young rugby players who represent Ulster at U18 Age Grade. The U18 (Clubs) Head Coach will be instrumental in providing a positive environment which develops and prepares the U18 (Clubs) squad to compete successfully at Provincial level.

This role will provide the squad with an excellent rugby experience aligned to player capabilities while endeavouring to achieve good team performances through quality coaching.

How can thisrolebenefit volunteers?

This role will give you the opportunity to:

  • meet new people from a variety of backgrounds.
  • contribute to the ongoing development of some of the best and brightest young rugby players in Ulster.
  • be part of a team where player welfare (physical and emotional) is central to their individual development.
  • increase your experience, knowledge and skills, potentially leading to enhanced career opportunities.

Key tasks:

  • Implement the season plan for the U18 (Clubs) Squad.
  • Identify and select the squad based on current needs and succession planning.
  • Monitor the ongoing development of squad players during the year.
  • Plan, prepare and manage the squad for each session and match.
  • Promote the profile of U18 Club rugby in Ulster.
  • Work closely with the identified coaching and supportstaff.
  • Provide reports on squad and player progress against identified outcomes as needed.

Time and location:

For this role to be a success the U18 (Clubs) Head Coach should be able to commit to Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm-8.00pm and Saturdays from 10.00am-6.00pm. This will be on a weekly basis during August, September and January and monthly during the rest of the year in order to maintain contact with the squad.

Volunteer induction is likely to take place in July with the role beginning in early August, although it is possible to begin the role earlier to observe the squad working on various skills.

This role will be based at Queens Sports Grounds however alternative venues may be used particularly for matches.

Support:

The Coach Development Manager will be your Volunteer Manager co-ordinating your recruitment and training. Rugby technical, tactical and strategic support will be provided by the coach and elite player development staff team.

Training:

All volunteers will receive IRFU (Ulster Branch) induction training and, due to the nature of this role, you will need to participate in IRFU (Ulster Branch) approved Safeguarding training.

As this is a development role, ongoing support and training will be provided by the Ulster Rugby Elite Performance Development Manager combined with IRFU and Ulster Branch coach development personnel.

Expenses and Equipment:

All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed, provided they have been pre-approved by the Ulster Rugby Elite Performance Development Manager. Reasonable expenses will be clarified as part of the volunteer induction training.

Each volunteer will receive an allocation of Ulster Rugby branded kit to support them to carry out their role.

Practical and administrative support will be provided by the Team Manager.

Experience, skills and qualities:

IRFU (Ulster Branch) feels that in order to be successful in this role, volunteers should:

Experience

  • be an IRFU Level 2 Accredited Coach (Stage 4 Rugby) or be working towards accreditation or have an equivalent qualification.
  • have experience as a Head Coach for at least 3 years.
  • have experience of coaching U18 Club or U18 School XV’s.

Skills and qualities

  • Commitment to the ethos of IRFU (Ulster Branch) and to the relevant Codes of Conduct.
  • Strongleadership and people skills – The U18 (Clubs) Head Coach should be confident and have good communication skills. He or she should demonstrate good observational skills and strong management skills including: interpersonal, leadership, motivation, patience and teamwork.
  • Commitment and enthusiasm – This role needs someone who is able to make a significant commitment in terms of timefor planning, preparation and delivery of sessions as well as follow up reporting.Given the investment of time and training by IRFU (Ulster Branch) in planning the season and supporting the U18 (Clubs) Head Coach we would ask that volunteers commit to 2 seasons in the role with a review after the first year.
  • Attendance & punctuality – Part of the role of the U18 (Clubs) Head Coach is to set standards and show leadership to the players and other members of the coaching and support teams, including in particular attendance and punctuality.
  • Reliability, planning and organisational skills – The U18 (Clubs) Head Coach will work closely with the Ulster Rugby Elite Performance Development Manager and Coach Development Manager in planning and co-ordinating all elements of the Age Grade season. It is important that they are reliable and demonstrate good planning and organisational skills including the ability to work on their own initiative.
  • Ability to evaluate and analyse all coaching sessions and games with the coaching team and squad.
  • Ability to work as part of a team – In order to successfully fulfil the role the U18 (Clubs) Head Coach needs to be able to work effectively with the players, parents, other coaches, manager and IRFU (Ulster Branch) staff.
  • Ambition and Drive – applicants will be assessed on an ongoing basis on their potential to deliver, monitor and evaluate the Age Grade programme and player development.

Access NI and references:

Please note that this role is subject to the receipt of a satisfactory Access NI check, references and completion of a selection process.

Due to the nature of this role all volunteers will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Additional information:

It is anticipated that there will be a high level of interest in this volunteer opportunity. Anyone who expresses an interest will be asked to complete a volunteer registration form which will form the basis for shortlisting. Everyone who has been shortlisted will be invited to an interview in order for the Age Grade team to identify the most suitable volunteer for the opportunity.

All of these arrangements are binding in honour only and are not intended to be legally binding.This role description should be considered as a guide only.