Sana Govender got his start coaching the first ever Girls team at his local club, Skibbereen RFC, taking them up from Under-15 level to Under-18, and helping to establish the club's first senior Women's team.
In 2018, he began working with Munster Rugby in various roles, first as an assistant coach and then head coach of the province's U-18 Girls Sevens team.
He also won an Interprovincial title as an assistant coach of the Munster U-18 Girls side before moving up to coach in their senior Women’s set-up in 2024 as a skills coach.
Govender was appointed attack and backs coach with the Ireland U-18 Girls ahead of the 2024 U-18 Six Nations Festival before moving further afield, taking up a head coach role at the semi-professional Polish side, RC Lechia Gdańsk.
One year later, he returned to Ireland for a job within the Leinster Branch as head rugby coach/rugby development officer in TU Dublin, as well as providing performance analysis and skills support for CBC Monkstown Park.
Most recently, he guided Railway Union to the semi-final stage of the Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division as head coach.
Govender will be joined in the Leinster Women's coaching group for 2026/27 by a mix of familiar and new faces – including Matt Gill, the head of the Women's National Talent Squad (WNTS) who served as Leinster's set-piece coach in last year's Interpros and previously worked with Govender during their time with the Ireland U-18 Girls team.
Commenting on the appointment, Philip Lawlor, Leinster's Head of Rugby Development, said: "We'rre delighted to confirm Sana as the new head coach of the Leinster Women's side.
"He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge from across the Women's game, having worked previously with the likes of Munster Rugby, the IRFU, and Railway Union FC.
"A total of 20 players made their Leinster debuts across four games in last year's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship, and with our Ireland internationals returning after missing last season because of the World Cup, Sana has the opportunity to work with an extremely talented group of players.
"We are looking forward to supporting him and the team across their summer programme, and we wish them all the best for the season ahead as we look to reclaim the Interpro title."
Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie about his new position, Govender stated: "I'm extremely excited. It's an honour and a privilege to be involved. I'm looking forward to the summer and working with some exciting players and the coaching team, as well.
"I think the main thing is getting to build on some really good work that's been done over the last few years in the programme itself, both in Women’s rugby in the country and the province.
"We get to work with really good athletes across the board, some coming in for the first time and some who are internationals. Bringing all of that together is the most exciting part.
"Last year was a landmark in terms of the new caps who were brought in. Of course the World Cup was on at the same time, so it gave the space to give young players an opportunity to play at provincial level. This year is about building on that."
Govender's debut as Leinster coach will come against defending champions Munster on Saturday, August 8, before their only home game of the Interprovincial campaign against Connacht the following Saturday.
Following a trip north to face Ulster, they will then head to Dexcom Stadium for the Championship's finals day on Saturday, August 29.
LEINSTER WOMEN'S COACHING & MANAGEMENT TEAM - 2026/27 SEASON:
Head Coach: Sana Govender
Assistant Coach (Defence and Set-Piece Lead): Matt Gill
Assistant Coach (Attack Lead): Stephen Maher
Assistant Coach (Transition Lead): Adam Philphot
Development Coach: Eleanor Furlong
AD: Paul Rossiter
AD Intern: Eleana McGrath
Physios: Conor Duffy and Stephen Armstrong
Analyst: Niamh O'Brien
Nutritionist: Rachel Walker
Team Manager: Hayley Whyte