Rugby League Ireland are seeking a Senior Team Head Coach. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 29th August in Dublin. Please send CVs via email to [email protected] by 5pm on Tuesday 21st August
Senior Team Head Coach - Role & Responsibilities
The Senior Team Head Coach is responsible for coaching players for games arranged by RLI, either directly or via RLIF sanctioned tournaments. They are also expected to engage fully with RLI's strategy of development of players from junior sides through to the senior side.
• Tenure - The role is expected to run for a World Cup cycle unless agreement entered into otherwise. The last game of the agreement will be the final game that Ireland play in during the next World Cup cycle. After that period a new selection process will be initiated and the Head Coach may put themselves forward for selection
• Aim - The Head Coach will support the development of the game of rugby league across the island of Ireland, in line with the RLI stated aim. The role’s primary aim is development, over rankings.
• Selection criteria - Player selection for 2018-2021 is based on the below targets. Note that if there are not sufficient domestic players who are at the level to face the opposition, the target may not be met. Ultimate decision on domestic players rest with the RLI Board
o 8 domestic players in a match day squad for European Championships
o 8 domestic players in a match day squad for World Cup qualifier games
o 12 domestic players in the playing squad for World Cup 2021
o Heritage players should be selected based on involvement in prior events and consistency of involvement. The aim is that players who play in European Championship games and World Cup qualifiers are given preference in World Cup squads
• Budgets – The Head Coach in partnership with the Team Manager must remain within the allocated budget for a tournament as set by the RLI board or tournament organiser.
• Coaching & Support Team – The assistant coaches are to comprise members of the other RLI representative teams - U19, Student, Senior Domestic. Medical teams are to be selected based on qualification for the role. Other roles to be agreed with the board dependent on tournament, game and budget. The RLI board will appoint all coaching and support roles.
• Engagement in Ireland – The head coach must maintain a strong link with activity taking place in Ireland and be active in helping to promote and develop the game in Ireland
o The Head Coach should attend 4 events during the RLI domestic season. This may be a representative game that an RLI side is taking part in, a domestic club game or final, an RLI delivered coaching or match officials course, or board activity
o The Head Coach should proactively share training material to coaches of representative sides and club sides so that all teams are using the same structures and calls. This will help players move between sides and drive consistency
o The Head Coach should proactively share Strength & Conditioning material, in conjunction with the senior team S&C coach that will aid development of players rugby league related S&C and this material will be used for players across the domestic competition and representative sides.
• Remuneration – This is a voluntary role and we are seeking candidates who have a passion for developing rugby league in countries where the sport is not a widely recognised sport.
While results are important, this is part of a longer term strategy to grow the game in Ireland and increasing the link between the domestic competition and the senior team is an important factor in this strategy.
RLI will cover reasonable, pre-approved expenses for travel to Ireland and will cover costs during games or tournaments.
For European Championships, World Cup qualifiers and tournament, RLI will cover travel, accommodation, food and kit and for ad-hoc visits to Ireland or RLI events, we will cover travel and accommodation.