Role of domestic games manager to revitalise club rugby

MOVES by the IRFU to appoint a new domestic games manager could see an improvement in the marketing and financing of the club game in Ireland.

Speaking after the announcement by the union of their intention to create two new positions to oversee the domestic game and elite player development, the chairman of the AIL Senior Rugby Clubs’ Association, Wally Morrissey, said the clubs were glad to see moves being made to strengthen these crucial areas.

The association, which represents the 48 AIL clubs, will next year embark on a new format for the All-Ireland league next season and, according to Mr Morrissey, it welcomes any move which will help boost the sport at club level.

“Most clubs operate from juvenile through to senior level and it is very important that the role of these clubs in terms of player development is recognised,” he said.

“Hopefully the person appointed to this new role will take on the marketing of the club game as well as work with us to establish the importance of funding for the clubs. The development of the professional game has diluted funds coming through to the clubs, but it must be remembered that it is through the clubs that most of the players emerge.

“It is terribly important that there is greater support from the union, particularly as the clubs provide players for the professional game at no cost to the union. But this is a new approach and we certainly welcome it,” Mr Morrissey said.

The IRFU announcement came yesterday and it involves the creation of the two new positions as part of the implementation of the recently- published strategic development plan for rugby in Ireland.

The first new position will be the appointment of a domestic games manager, who will be responsible for the planning, development and organisation of the game within clubs and schools throughout Ireland, who will report directly to the IRFU director of rugby and also sit on the domestic game committee.

The role will ensure a focus on the club and schools’ game at grassroots level to maintain its development.

The second position will be that of a high performance manager who will also report to the director of rugby. The manager will be responsible for the development and through-put of quality Irish professional players. Both positions will be advertised in the coming weeks.

The IRFU also announced other changes including current IRFU operations director Martin Murphy being made director of corporate affairs, while current marketing manager Padraig Power becomes commercial and marketing director.

The finance department will be led by current IRFU accountant Conor O’Brien as finance controller, while Maurice Dowling, the current head of human resources will take the role of director of human resources.

According to chief executive of the IRFU Philip Browne the needs of the domestic game and the development of age-grade rugby are evident to any stakeholder in Irish rugby.

“Both of these new positions are a direct result of the review process. On the domestic front, the revitalisation of grassroots rugby is an important issue for the game in Ireland and this dedicated position of domestic games manager will provide the necessary resources to achieve this.

“The new high performance manager will be a critical element of this system and is fundamental to the development of professional players,” he said.