Waratahs 'open to overseas' head coach
NEWS: The NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) revealed they are ‘open’ to handing the Waratahs head coach job to a suitable candidate outside Australia.
The NSWRU announced the process to identify and appoint the new Head Coach of the NSW Waratahs.
Leading international search and advisory firm SRI has been appointed by the NSWRU to conduct the global search.
SRI’s Managing Partner ANZ Jonathan Harris will lead the process in co-operation with the NSWRU Board, to ensure that a timely, rigorous, and structured process is in place to identify a shortlist of candidates for the Head Coaching role.
The NSWRU Board will make the final decision on the appointment of the coach in time for the successful candidate to be in place to prepare the Waratahs for the 2022 season.
NSWRU Chief Executive Paul Doorn is now calling for Expressions of Interest in the role, outlining the selection criteria that will ensure the integrity of the process.
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“The coach of the NSW Waratahs is one of the highest profile roles in Australian rugby and, as you would expect, we have had a great deal of interest in the role already,” said Doorn.
“We are open about whether the coach is from NSW, Australia or from overseas, but what the successful candidate must do, is understand and embrace what the NSWRU is looking to achieve.
“The Head Coach must be aligned with our strategic priorities and share a clear vision of what success looks like in the years ahead.
“2020 and 2021 have been tough for all of Australian rugby and our on-field performances have not met our expectations. What we have succeeded in, is retaining and developing a youthful and talented core playing squad and recruitment is now underway to bring in additional high-quality players in key positions that we’ve identified, that sets us up well for the years ahead,” he said.
Doorn is clear that the new Head Coach must understand that the success of the Waratahs is a significant pillar of NSW Rugby’s strategy to grow the game in the state.
“Supporting the development of elite pathways and continuing to bring local talent through to Super Rugby, while ensuring NSW remains the leading state for developing rugby talent in Australia, is one of the key qualities we are looking for in the new coach,” Doorn said.
Jonathan Harris from SRI says this is a great time to be involved with NSW Waratahs.
“The opportunity is truly exciting, with a strong pipeline of talent in place plus the opening of their own $20m High Performance Centre in mid-2022 and the new Sydney Football Stadium in 2023. We are very confident that we will attract the right person to lead the Waratahs into this exciting period for the organisation,” he said.
