Job Description

The assigned person will provide leadership to all Rugby Canada Coaching Development programs and support the on-going endeavours of coaches, coach educators and provincially based coach administrators to improve the skills and knowledge they require to perform their roles effectively.  In addition, the officer will take leadership responsibility for a number of youth rugby development programs.  This person will plan, manage, implement and promote coaching “best practice” and promote a positive image of coaching.  It is intended that the appointed person will raise the profile of coaching within and beyond the Rugby community.  

The job will involve a commitment to aspects of:

¬    Coach Development;
¬    Leadership & Administration;
¬    Education & Training;  and,
¬    Planning.

Coach Development

•    Work co-operatively with, and under the direction of, the Director of the Rugby to address the specific needs of coaches and coach educators within the development of Rugby in Canada.
•    Incorporate Rugby Canada’s coaching development plans into all provincial structures acknowledging the specific and unique needs of each province and the contemporary needs of coaches.
•    Work co-operatively with the Development staff of the provinces by supporting their programs and acknowledging the specific development needs of each province.
•    Work co-operatively with the regionally based coach educators (Learning Facilitators and Master Learning Facilitators) to provide infrastructure for coach accreditation and continuing coaching development.
•    Work co-operatively with the Provincial Development Officers to initiate a coach recruitment program that addresses the uniqueness of each of the regionally based recruitment needs.
•    Ensure that all accredited coaches are empowered to maintain currency by ensuring that Rugby Canada’s website and information dissemination processes related to coaching are maintained.
•    Work co-operatively with the Director of Rugby to ensure that all of Rugby Canada’s coaching accreditation courses are updated and delivered in accordance with CAC policies, guidelines and expectations.
•     Prepare all CAC documentation and monitor the CAC data base of accredited coaches (trained and certified).
•    Initiate retention programs to ensure that accredited coaches are encouraged to remain in their role and further enhance their skills and knowledge.
•    Maintain the coach development content on the Rugby Canada web-site.

Program Leadership and Administration

•    Maintain, monitor, further develop and implement quality controls applicable to Rugby Canada’s Long Term Rugby Development program.
•    Be the administrative focal point for a series of Children’s Clinics that are delivered in conjunction with major games and tournaments across Canada.
•    Provide support and leadership to assist the initiatives and the on-going programs of all of the Provincial Unions in the coaching and coach development domains as well as provincially based programs targeting the recruitment and retention of children and youth.
•    Be a focal point for the distribution of all current information applicable to coaches and coach educators across Canada.
•    Give direction to coaches and coach educators as they move from their current situation to becoming more aware of new, modified and quickly developing contemporary coaching environments.
•    Monitor coach registration on Rugby Canada’s registration data base on a continuing basis.
•    Work co-operatively with the Director of High Performance to ensure that a coaching talent identification process and a coaching pathway is documented and embedded within Rugby Canada’s coaching fraternity.

Coach Education & Training

•    Plan and schedule an annual calendar of coach education courses and coach development clinics, workshops and seminars.
•    Monitor the delivery of all accreditation courses and initiate quality control procedures in accordance with CAC and Rugby Canada course delivery expectations.
•    Support the delivery of coach education courses across Canada.
•    Initiate programs to improve the ratio of those coaches who complete their accreditation coursework (i.e.:  become both trained and certified).

Coach Planning

•    Work co-operatively with the Director of Rugby to develop, maintain and continually update a Coach Development Plan for Rugby Canada based upon input from all stakeholders.
•    Work co-operatively with the Director of Rugby to prepare annual budget documentation.
•    Schedule, plan and promote coach development opportunities for coaches across Canada.

Reporting Structures

This position reports to the Director of Rugby.


Selection Criteria

1.    Required Skills and Attributes

•    Recent involvement as a development officer and/or coach.
•    Knowledge of the development plans of Rugby Canada and the IRB as well as the development protocols of both Rugby Canada and the IRB.
•    Demonstrated evidence of an ability to prepare and implement development plans.
•    Current accreditation as a coach.
•    Evidence of recent involvement at monitoring or implementing quality control systems and review processes.
•    Evidence of recognition as a high profile person within the Rugby community (and preferably beyond) with an understanding of current best practice and a history of performing best practice (preferably recent best practice) as it applies to rugby coaching.
•    A background that displays people management and people leadership skills and attributes.
•    Computer literacy especially with spreadsheets, word processing and power point presentations.
•    A record of working as a team member, as well as a history of performing in situations that require self leadership and initiative.
•    A background that displays excellent customer relations and workplace co-operation skills.
•    Demonstrated evidence of being able to influence others including an ability to build good relationships with others who may not be receptive to change.

2.    Desirable Skills and Attributes

•    CAC recognition as a Learning Facilitator (preferably a Master Learning Facilitator) and IRB accreditation as an Educator or an ability and willingness to gain such accreditation immediately upon employment.
•    Training and experience as an educator, trainer, workplace mentor or other similar development role.

Guidelines for Applicants

The appointed individual must be able to display an ability to work during periods of extended hours including weekends and evenings.  A driver’s licence is essential.  

Applicants are to submit the names of three potential referees who can report on the specified selection criteria.  At least two of these individuals must be able to comment in detail upon the applicant’s involvement in coaching and in particular be in a position to comment upon the applicant’s understanding of contemporary expectations of coach development from the introductory level through to the high performance level.

The selection emphasis will be based upon the applicant’s knowledge, skills and attributes to drive the coaching culture into the future.  An applicant who promotes a future that pictures “more of the same” will not be appropriate.  The selection process will focus attention upon issues regarding “currency”, “contemporary”, “the future”, “international best practice” and the applicant’s ability to display the skills, knowledge and attributes that identify recent experiences that can offer direction that will ensure Canadian coaches maintain pace with those of other Rugby nations.     

Applications are to be submitted to Mr. Trevor Arnold, Director of Rugby, via email at tarnold@rugbycanada.ca no later than Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010. Rugby Canada would like to thank all applicants; however, only those applicants chosen for the interview process will be contacted.