Leadership Development
The IRFU Spirit of Rugby Leadership Programme began in the 2018-19 season offering inclusive, values-based leadership development to club volunteers. The aim of the programme is to develop the volunteers’ ability to lead change and influence others. It does not focus on their rugby knowledge but rather on how to work with others to make the best use of everyone’s experience.
Stage 1 of the Leadership Pathway programme is made available to male and female active club administrators, with 2 seasons involvement in a club, ideally those on the Club Executive Committee. Previous attendees include Directors of Rugby, Chairs and Presidents, Hon. Sec and Treasurers. 30 are then invited to go on and complete Stage 2 of the programme.
There is also a specific Female Accelerator programme and a Mentorship programme to support clubs identify experienced volunteer to mentor future committee members.
The programmes are a blend of online modules, zoom sessions and personal executive coaching. This allows participants to do some work in their own time while also getting an opportunity to share best practice and network with those in similar roles, during group sessions online. The executive coaching sessions are to maximise the volunteers understanding of their leadership style and how behaviour impacts the environment. Topics covered include Self-awareness, Delivering Under Pressure, Leading Teams, Influencing Skills and Change Management.
Course fees to the value of £4000 are covered by the IRFU and session are led by the highly renowned Jo Hopkins Consulting, https://www.johopkinsconsulting.com/home,
Female Leadership
Along with specific Leadership Development outlined above the IRFU created a Women’s Rugby Network to provide a space for women in the game to connect and share experiences. It was initially launched for International Women’s Day in 2023 to support women working in a predominately male environment, to provide a community of support to confidence when there are challenges for women that are different to their male counterparts.
Recognising that many of the coaches, staff and volunteers in the game are male and that information specific to the women’s game is important to male coaches and staff, it was decided to create a network for those working across the women’s game. The Women’s Rugby Conference in September 2024 provided an ideal platform to speak about Allyship, especially by men, and so the Women’s Rugby Network evolved to include men and women and all working across the women’s game. Join the network
- LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14356293/
- WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F2YjcHjSaojKIjoXS9Br3V
Youth Leadership – IRFU Youth Council
