Posted: July 22, 2016

Position Title: Head Coach, National Senior Men’s 7s Team (NOC 5252)

Business Address: 110-30 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada  L4B 1J2

Location of Work: Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence, 3024 Glen Lake Road, Langford, British Columbia  V9B 4B4

Terms of Employment: Full-Time

Wage Range: $90,000 - $120,000 per annum (commensurate with experience and qualifications); eligible for salary increases and discretionary, performance/results-based bonuses

Hours of work: 40 hrs/week; may be required to travel and work extended hours including weekends and evenings

Benefits: Health & Dental Benefits Plan / Bonus Structure

Reports to: General Manager, Rugby Operations and Performance

Rugby Canada (RC) is the national sport organization committed to the domestic development and international success of Rugby for Canada. Rugby Canada’s goal is to be a world leader in Sevens rugby and compete for the podium at every opportunity.

OBJECTIVE

The Head Coach, National Senior Men’s 7s (NSM7s) Team has a primary responsibility to perform the role of Head Coach of the NSM7s and lead the program with the support of Rugby Department senior management.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Head Coach, NSM7s will be required to select the NSM7s Team in accordance with the policies and guidelines adopted by Rugby Canada. The person appointed to this role will be required to coach and manage players, plan programs, lead program staff and manage high performance (HP) training sessions.

The role will be viewed as being integral to the pinnacle element of the HP player pathway process as outlined in Rugby Canada’s Long Term Rugby Development framework.

The position will involve a commitment to aspects of HP player development and talent identification (TID).

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES

The Head Coach, NSM7s Team will be responsible for performing the following roles and/or delivering the following outcomes:

• Selecting the NSM7s Team
• Coaching the team for World Sevens Series tournaments and other pinnacle international competitions, including Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, Sevens World Cup, Olympic qualifiers and the Olympics
• Providing leadership and participating in talent identification and development programs for men’s sevens rugby

Key Activities

Select the NSM7s Team including:

• Identifying all players in contention for selection, utilizing selection networks, depth charts and viewing opportunities (camps, competitions, tournaments) to ensure the most thorough possible identification and screening of players
• Consulting with Rugby Canada coaching staff, Provincial and Regional coaching and academy staff regarding identified contenders as determined and advised by Rugby Canada periodically
• Adhering to Rugby Canada TID and selection policies (such as the Gold Medal Profile) and processes that address the geography of Canada and the seasonal variations of Rugby in Canada.

Coach the team for World Sevens Series tournaments and other pinnacle international competitions including:

• Working cooperatively with the team’s assistant coaching staff, Integrated Support Team (IST) staff, management staff, and senior department leadership

• Providing leadership of the team and team management through effective interpersonal communication and the ability to address difficult problems and decisions appropriately
• Establishing and ensuring adoption by the team and team management of a team vision, values, standards and protocols that fit within the goals of Rugby Canada
• Demonstrating personal credibility, honesty, high integrity, and showing an ability to handle pressure and stress appropriately
• Undertaking and recording player performance expectations with each player before the pinnacle events
• Providing regular performance and development review feedback to each player with reference to match analysis information during the season
• Providing technical and tactical coaching to individual players, mini-units and the team as a whole as appropriate
• Using and facilitating the use of technical specialist coaches where required
• Developing well structured training sessions that provide team progressions in the areas of:
  • Set play
  • Attack
  • Defence
  • Open play

• Working closely with the team performance coaches to ensure that the players are provided with an appropriate fitness and training program to attain the required level of fitness to excel on the world stage
• Ensuring that, following consultation and advice from the team’s medical staff, each player’s welfare, health and safety is given priority at all times
• Utilizing available technologies to analyse, understand and develop individual and team performance, and conduct in–depth analysis of individual players, the team and the opposition.
• Developing appropriate game plans, reviewing and measuring individual and team performance against these plans
• Remaining up to date with modern game development, including new laws and their impact on the game
• Developing team protocols and standards with input from staff and players to ensure these are maintained, and dealing effectively and appropriately with any breach or conflict
• Ensuring that the team maintains an appropriate standard of discipline both on and off the field

Provide leadership and participate in talent identification and development programs for men’s sevens rugby including

• In conjunction with Rugby Canada staff, scheduling, planning and promoting player development/next generation opportunities for talent ID across Canada
• Working co-operatively with Provincial Performance Managers, Regional Academy staff and university coaching staff to plan and promote TID and player development opportunities
• Contributing constructively to any review or policy work and administrative matters relating to the NSM7s team selection, the team programme of assembly or other HP matters, as requested by Rugby Canada
• Providing advice to coaches and/or selectors of other Rugby Canada national teams and/or Provincial Sports Organisations on the ability, performance and fitness of players selected in your Team as requested
• Develop relationships/networks with Rugby Canada and other coaches to contribute to the Rugby Canada High Performance Program and the creation of a pool of knowledge and practice for the benefit of Canadian Rugby.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Education and Experience

The Head Coach, NSM7s Team has developed a foundation for this position through:

• Advanced level coaching accreditation accompanied by current experience as a HP coach
• High-level performance analysis skills
• Evidence of recently upgraded accreditation, recent attendance at coaching workshops or evidence of other forms of self education that displays currency as a coach and as someone who continues to seek further development as a coach
• Experience and knowledge of managing assistant coaches and working co-operatively with team managers, strength and conditioning coaches, team medical staff and performance analysis personnel
• An understanding of current best practice and a history of performing best practice as it applies to rugby coaching, most notably Sevens
• A thorough knowledge of developments in HP rugby around the world
• Demonstrated evidence of an ability to understand, support and implement development plans
• An understanding of the Canadian sports sector and associated funding agencies and partners would be an asset

Key Competencies

The Head Coach, NSM7s Team will demonstrate a high level of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge and experience of International Rugby Sevens gained from coaching that has required the individual to understand the needs of players, coaches, high performance environments, etc.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Computer literacy especially with analysis tools (Sportscode), spreadsheets, word processing and power point presentations
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing, communications and public relations
• Ability to speak French will be considered an asset to the position

Personal Attributes / Values

The Head Coach, NSM7s Team will be a person who has:

• An ability to inspire, lead and empower the program’s players and staff to deliver work class performances at every opportunity, via a process driven approach
• An ability to work independently without supervision but in accordance with documented policy and procedure guidelines
• A record of working as a team member, as well as a history of performing in situations that require self leadership and initiative
• An ability to balance team / players needs and goals with those of the administration of Rugby Canada
• A background that displays exceptional people management and people leadership skills and attributes
• A background that displays excellent stakeholder relations and workplace co-operation.

HOW TO APPLY / CONTACT INFORMATION

Apply in confidence by sending your cover letter, resume, and the names of two (2) potential individuals who can report on the specified selection criteria to:

Selection Committee

National Senior Men’s Sevens Team

highperformance@rugbycanada.ca

SUBJECT: Head Coach, NSM7s Team

No phone calls please.

Rugby Canada would like to acknowledge World Rugby and Sport Canada’s support of this position.