VACANCIES: Women's National Talent squad programme

28 February 2023

VACANCIES: Women's National Talent squad programme

The IRFU is investing in eight new roles to deliver the provincial roll-out of the Women’s National Talent Squad programme, with two of those roles based in Connacht.

A Provincial Talent Coach and a Pathway Athletic Development Coach will be hired in each province to support the Women’s National Talent Squad programme which will be delivered in partnership with designated third level institutions. Partnership discussions are at advanced stages with third level institutions in each province.  

The new hires will be responsible for the delivery of development programmes of identified female players between the age of 16 and 23 years of age. The programme will be fully aligned with the provincial age grade programmes.

Gillian McDarby, IRFU Head of Women’s Performance and Pathway, commented, “This is a significant element in our plan to establish a high performance pathway that can support young female athletes and prepare them for the rigours of representative rugby.   

The new hires are dedicated resources solely servicing these young players in each province.  In stage one of the Women’s National Talent Squad programme we are focusing on coaching and athletic development and we will add further service provision as the programme develops.

We have had some extremely positive engagements with third level institutions that are eager to play a role in supporting the establishment of  a female elite player pathway and we will be making announcements on partner institutions which will house the programmes in due course.”

To learn more about the positions please CLICK HERE.