Men's Rugby BUCS Lead Coach

Cardiff Met Sport is at the heart of sport, physical activity, health & wellbeing in Wales’ Capital City. Our mission is clear – ‘to profoundly enhance the lives of our communities, making them healthier and stronger as an outcome of engaging with us’. 

We work in partnership with a range of local, regional and national partners to develop and manage high quality sport facilities including, the National Indoor Athletics Centre, Tennis Centre and Archers Arena on our Cyncoed Campus along with a number of 21st Century Schools across the City. 

To continue to achieve all of this, we need ‘game changers’, people with drive, passion, creativity and flair who see hurdles rather than problems, and can think differently and want to make a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives, in Wales and beyond.

We’re now seeking an experienced Forwards Coach to act as a Lead Coach in the BUCS Super Rugby Programme. The role will provide specialist coaching expertise to the Men’s Rugby Performance programme with a primary focus on supporting the developing the forward pack, enhancing set-piece performance, and contributing to the competitive success of the Men’s 1st XV in BUCS Super Rugby and associated competitions. The coach will also support the coaching team of the WRU Premiership to provide specialist knowledge and contributions as well as working with players across both teams. The role will also carry broader responsibilities within the environment, providing support and continuity in the absence of the Head of Performance Rugby.

You’ll play a key role in:

• Ensuring that all core aspects of the Men’s Performance Rugby programme including; rugby preparation, player development, talent identification, recruitment, staffing, performance standards, cultural expectations and athlete welfare - are planned, aligned and agreed in collaboration with the Head of Performance Rugby. 
• Leading the technical and tactical development of the forwards unit, including set piece (scrum, lineout), maul, breakdown, and contact areas; integrating these technical components within the team’s overall game model to ensure shared understanding of roles, thoughtful decision-making, and contribution to team strategy. 
• Supporting the day-to-day planning and delivery of the Men’s Performance Rugby performance programme, ensuring training, competition and player preparation align with BUCS demands, Cardiff Met performance standards and contemporary coaching practice.

What you’ll bring 

• Expert technical understanding of forwards play including scrum, lineout, maul, breakdown and contact phases.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare teams for competitive performance at a BUCS Super Rugby, Academy or professional level.
• Demonstrable track record of coaching and developing rugby players within a performance environment appropriate to university, academy or senior competitive rugby.

Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?

We are a values-based University. We are proud of our culture, and we are there for our people. Our community spirit is the golden thread that underpins our values and behaviours. We support and embrace inclusion that enables everyone to feel respected and able to perform at their best. By joining our University, you'll find yourself in a unique environment where a wealth of knowledge and resources are readily available, supporting you with your career development. 

We offer excellent benefits such as:

• Annual leave of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 1 years’ service, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous monthly contributions.
• Excellent family friendly policies – take a look on our Policy Hub page.
• Opportunities to learn and develop your skills with access to library and digital services facilities.
• Excellent sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership.
• Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.

Contact us

For more information about the role please contact Dai Young, Head of Performance Rugby on dyoung@cardiffmet.ac.uk, or feel free to contact Cerys Purdon supporting this vacancy on cpurdon@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

All applications must be submitted online.  

The person specification will be used as a tool for shortlisting; so please make sure you use this information when writing your application. You can find useful hints and tips about how to apply by visiting our Application Guidance page.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

All applicants with disabilities, or those who are part of the Armed Forces community who during the shortlisting process meet the essential criteria for the role will be progressed to the next stage.

The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.