RGC Academy Physical Development Coach

Physical Development Coach – RGC Academy

The purpose of this role is to lead and implement the delivery of the physical development programme across RGC Academy, ensuring a consistently high standard of provision, including all aspects of, to players within the RGC Academy.

This includes managing and implementing all aspects of physical development within the RGC Academy curriculum (strength and conditioning, nutrition, and lifestyle management), supporting players throughout the Junior Academy and overseeing provision in the Emerging Player Programme. The role ensures alignment with national strategies to optimise the physical development and progression of all players within this phase of the pathway and in doing so drive forward the WRU strategic objective of ‘developing more and better players for the professional game and for Wales through life enriching experiences’.

Key Information

• Closing Date: 12 November 2025
• Salary: £33,120
• Location: Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
• Hours of work: 35 per week (Mon – Fri, 9am–5pm – hybrid)
• Responsible to: Men’s Pathway Senior Physical Development Coach
• Contractual status: Permanent, full time (6‑month probationary period)

Qualifications and Experience

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in sport science or related area specialising in the physical preparation of talented athletes.
• UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Accreditation, or ability to obtain within 12 months.
• A minimum of three years’ experience of working as a physical performance coach with athletic populations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of male athletes aged between 14 and 20.
• Ability to coach technical aspects of physical development, including but not limited to running fundamentals, weight‑lifting and related field‑based and weight‑training practices.
• Experience working within a team‑sport environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship management.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• Excellent IT skills, specifically Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable.
• Valid UK driving licence.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in collaboration with the RGC Regional Academy Manager and RGC Academy staff to shape the RGC Development Curriculum.
• Establish long‑term development plans for individual players with regular and timely review periods.
• Implement methods and systems to plan and coach physical development (athletic, functional, and technical) to players within the RGC Academy and associated programmes.
• Attend RGC Academy and Coleg Llandrillo matches and training, delivering strength and conditioning interventions.
• Direct, manage, and monitor ancillary and/or casual Strength & Conditioning and Sports Science staff within RGC Academy, providing direction, reviewing performance, and upskilling at regular intervals.
• Perform regular physical profiling of players within RGC Academy in line with National protocols.
• Keep records and provide regular reports on player development.
• Assist in developing a positive culture within RGC Academy and Wales Pathway Teams in accordance with WRU and RGC standards and values.
• Ensure maintenance and ongoing inventory of all strength and conditioning equipment.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers.
• Protect private athlete information, ensuring adherence to data protection and research guidelines as outlined by WRU HR Department.
• Deliver Performance Pathway Coach Education tasks as required.
• Assist in the development of relationships with academic partners.
• Assist WRU at all requested national profiling days while ensuring continuity of cover at Regional Academy level.
• Provide physical performance services to the Men’s U20s, U19, and/or U18s groups as required.
• Be an active member of the RGC Academy management team and the wider Welsh Rugby Physical Performance & Development community.
• Carry out duties to help support the WRU mission statement in line with the Company’s core values.

Key Relationships

• RGC Regional Academy Manager
• RGC Academy Coaches
• RGC Academy Physiotherapist & SSSM Staff
• Coleg Llandrillo Coaches & SSSM team
• Wales Pathway Coaches and SSSM Staff
• RGC Super Rygbi Cymru Coaches & Management Team
• National and Regional Strength & Conditioning Coaches
• National Nutrition Support Staff

WRU Requirements

• Proficiency in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.
• Role subject to enhanced DBS disclosure and reviewed regularly in line with policy activity and requirements.

Benefits

• Salary sacrifice pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU).
• Life assurance scheme.
• WRU Group ticket allocation.
• Employee assistance program.
• Hybrid working arrangements (Team Tactics).
• Free stadium parking and gym.
• WRU Group store and tour discounts.
• WRU Group partnership offers.
• Eye Care voucher scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.

Our Values

The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.

Inclusion at the WRU

The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high‑performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people‑first culture where everyone can belong, be heard, and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our EDI strategy and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Monitoring

We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We need your help in filling out a short monitoring form. None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes. You can select ‘prefer not to say’ if you would rather not answer any question. (One or two paragraphs about the role in Welsh translation to be added; delete this sentence.)

Perks (continued)

As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you have access to our full range of employee benefits, including the items listed above.