Leicester get off-field reinforcements

NEWS: Leicester Tigers are reinforcing the team off the field with the appointment of Jan McGinity in the new position of Head of Elite Performance Recruitment and a new role for Ged Glynn as Head of Performance Pathway and Talent Identification.

McGinity has been head of sports operations at the Scottish Rugby Union since 2017 following a four-year spell as head of recruitment in the Premiership with Worcester Warriors and 10 years’ experience overseeing the largest rugby athlete management company in the UK.

He will be responsible for player contracts, salary cap management and managing relationships with key stakeholders within the game, with a focus on the player recruitment industry.

Glynn’s new role will provide extra dedicated focus on the key area of scouting at all levels as well as continued direct responsibility for the club’s successful academy system.

Club chairman Peter Tom said: “Since the end of last season, we have been reviewing the club’s operations at many levels and see the expansion in the rugby department as vital in pushing forward.

“The demands in this area have grown enormously and we believe this new structure provides the best possible support for the coaching group and the players.

📣

Jan McGinity has joined the club in the new position of Head of Elite Performance Recruitment, with Ged Glynn moving in to the role of Head of Performance Pathway and Talent Identification.https://t.co/ENsPkyzc4i

— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 26, 2019

McGinity commented: “Leicester Tigers is a club I have always greatly admired, from my time as an agent when I brought players such as Seru Rabeni, Aaron Mauger and Martin Castrogiovanni here.

“With the largest rugby stadium in the Premiership and the highest number of season ticket-holders in the league, I see Tigers as the biggest club in the Premiership and I have a huge drive to get this club back to where it belongs from a performance perspective.

“I see my role as supporting Geordan and all of the coaching staff in constructing the best squad possible within the confines of the salary cap.”

In his new role, Glynn will head the club’s scouting operation worldwide and focus on maintaining a clear performance pathway from the Developing Player Programme through to first-team squad as well as ensuring the club’s academy is the best it can be.

He will have responsibility for the senior development squad and liaise with other clubs to maximise appropriate game time for a player’s development.

Peter Tom said: “Ged has already overseen the restructure of the academy and we are witnessing the results of that project’s success in back-to-back titles in the National Under-18 League as well as international recognition for a large number of our young players and the impressive progress of a group of graduates through to development and senior squads.

“The club invests a large amount of time and resource into the academy and we view its success as an essential part of the Leicester Tigers. Identifying the best possible talent to join the system and providing development opportunities through it are key parts of that work.”

Also, Pat Howard is to return to Tigers as a mentor to the coaching team and support staff.

He will be based at the club in a part-time capacity while also maintaining constant communication with the senior management team.

A European Cup winner with the club as a player, Howard also led Tigers to a league-and-cup double as head coach. He returned at the end of the 2018/19 season, using his experience to provide support and mentorship for Geordan Murphy and the backroom team.

Alongside his experience in rugby, Howard was until recently head of team performance at Cricket Australia.

Tigers chairman Peter Tom said: “Pat understands the club very well and, alongside his personal experience of the transition from playing into coaching at the top level, he has worked in elite environments in two sports and his involvement will provide valuable support for Geordan and the coaching team here.

“He visited us at the end of last season and his new role is an extension of that, allowing him to identify areas where the club can continue to develop in terms of infrastructure, culture and personnel.”

👋

Hey! That is a familiar face.

Welcome back, Pat. pic.twitter.com/CwmdvQ73ki

— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 26, 2019