Duffy takes on new commercial role with Connacht

Recently retired Connacht Rugby captain Gavin Duffy has been appointed to a new role with the province, as Senior Development Executive, within the Commercial & Marketing department.

Duffy, who has a Commerce Degree from NUI Galway and a BA in Strength & Conditioning from Setanta College, will take up the role in July following the birth of his second child.

In the full-time position based at the Sportsground in Galway, the former Ireland international will be charged with driving new business with local, regional and national enterprise as well as continually developing and enhancing relationships with key stakeholders domestically and abroad.

Gavin said: "Working full time with the club I've been associated for so much of my life is ultimately the 'dream job'. There were other offers out there but I had to weigh up my options taking into account my family and where we wanted to be. But it wasn't a difficult decision when it came to taking this opportunity.

"Connacht is where I'm from and I've often spoke about the pride I felt playing for my home province. It's the same now that I've finished playing. I want to be a part of this club's future and to help it go from strength to strength.

"Being a professional player for so many years and in a club that has seen massive change in recent times, I have seen how crucial the off-field work is to the whole organisation. Having studied Commerce, I've always taken an interest in the commercial side of things and enjoyed getting to know our sponsors and stakeholders who do so much in terms of helping the club to grow.

"It's definitely going to be a new challenge for me moving into the 'real' working world but I'm excited by it. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the role and being a part of great success for the province."