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Posted on April 16, 2025

Applications are invited for the post of Head Coach of the Army Rugby Union Academy U23’s team.

The successful applicant will be expected to start on the 16 June 2025 and it is desirable that the successful applicant completes at least 2 seasons, which ends in Nov 27.

Applicants should send their rugby CV and a covering letter to the ARU Director of Communications – Kimberley Fowke via EMAIL

The closing date for applications is 1200hrs Friday 16 May 25. Applicants that don’t pass the CV sift will be contacted via email by Fri 23 May 25. Applicants that pass the CV sift will be invited to an interview on Wed 4 June (likely to be remote on TEAMs). The interview will also seek evidence of previous coaching competencies.

The selection panel is provisionally planned to consist of the Chair of Representative Rugby and Director of Academy U23’s Rugby.

Candidates called for interview will be notified on completion of all interviews if they have been successful or not.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE CRITERIA

Applicants are to be suitably qualified and experienced as follows;

Must be at an RFU or equivalent qualified licensed coach at level 2 and completed or working towards the Advanced Coaching Award Level 3.
Must have evidence of coaching Army / Corps / Community, County or civilian club sides of sufficient standing in the game.
Provide 2 people that may be called upon for a written reference.
Must be serving in the British Army with at least 2.5 years’ service remaining from 1 Nov 25 or be an MOD civil servant.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Role

The Academy Head Coach will be a qualified licensed coach having completed or working towards the RFU (or similar Governing Body) Coaching Award Level 3. She/He will have considerable delegated power from the Management Board to enable her/him in conjunction with the Director of Academy Rugby to choose her/his coaching and Management team, develop a style of play and will have the final say on selection. All authority will be subject to scrutiny as appropriate, and the Head Coach will be required to provide regular updates on team issues to the Management Board via the Director of Academy U23’s rugby. She/He will consult with the Director of Academy Rugby on management and administration matters as appropriate.

Responsibilities

The Academy Head Coach will be responsible for all aspects of on field activity for the team. She/He will also be responsible for:

Leading the Coaching Team in accordance with Director of Academy U23’s Directive.
Coach the Academy U23’s squad to standards designed to ensure that the team plays to its full potential and is well-organised.
Instil the Army’s values and standards into the Academy U23’s squad to ensure the highest discipline and professional standards on and off the pitch.
Liaise with the Army Men’s Senior XV and Development XV Head Coach to facilitate player selection, coaching and development as required.
Manage all on-field playing matters and coordinate with management and medical staff to create a high-performance environment.
In conjunction with the Team Manager, produce the annual budget submission for the season by June each year (or as required by the Management Board).
Produce and control the coaching and conditioning programme throughout the season.
Co-ordinate and conduct a fitness and development programme in line with the ARU Senior Men’s Squad in conjunction with the Conditioning Coach prior to the commencement of and during the Season.
Identify talent and potential for the ARU Senior Men’s Squad throughout the season and in each calendar year.
Attend seminars and briefing sessions organised by ARU from time to time.
Produce an annual coaching report that builds upon previous player profiling and provide player development plans for all of the ARU Academy U23’s squad members at designated points throughout the season.
Advise the Director of Academy U23’s Rugby on succession planning for both the Management and Coaching team.