In support of ‘developing inspirational leadership’ World Rugby is committed to supporting the development of female coaches in the sport. Qualified teams for the Rugby World Cup 2021 will participate in the opportunity to identify female coaches in this innovative program.
Six countries are the first to put forward their nominated interns, who will see their coaching skills tested, enhanced, and supported. World Rugby General Manager for Women’s Rugby Katie Sadleir said: “We are delighted to see all qualified participating unions take the opportunity to expand and diversify their coaching teams for Rugby World Cup 2021 and continue to support the development of female coaches through the Coaching Internship Program.”
News of the ongoing investment in female coaches follows on men who have been hosted by International sides and the Premiership. Mose Timoteo has gone through Premiership Level 300 training program, coaching sessions, and with this ongoing drive to develop female coaches, it will grow the number of qualified leaders.
“Creating quality deployment opportunities for female coaches is a crucial and necessary step to ensuring they have relevant, meaningful experience, which we know is a barrier for female coaches when applying for high-performance coaching positions across both the men’s and women’s game.”
World Rugby committed to supporting development of female coaches
Six women have been named to join teams in their preparations for the 2021 tournament. 12 months out from the New Zealand-hosted tournament, the opportunity couldn’t be any better.
Confirmed Rugby World Cup 2021 coach interns:
- Canada – Maria Gallo: Former Canadian 15s and sevens international, Rugby Canada Hall of Fame inductee, former head coach of UBC (University of British Columbia) Thunderbirds women’s rugby program, and current Canada Women’s 15s assistant coach
- France – Céline Allainmat: Former France 15s and sevens international, current coach at Stade Rennais Rugby
- USA – Kate Daley: Former USA 15s international, head coach of Penn State Women’s Rugby and assistant coach of USA Women’s 15s team
- England – Amy Turner: Former England 15s and sevens international and current RFU Professional Pathway Officer and Women’s Performance Pathway coach
- South Africa – Laurian Johannes: Former South Africa 15s international and current South Africa Women’s U20 head coach
- Australia – Inge Visser: Former Netherlands 15s and sevens international, former head coach University of New England Rugby Lions
With increased coaching presence within clubs, Universities/Colleges, and at the representative level, it is only a matter of time before a qualified head coach is appointed. Women contribute already in so many ways, in management and in fitness and assistant coaching positions, the next step is a senior, high-performance role.
World Rugby women’s advisory committee chair Serge Simon added: “The Coaching Internship Programme is a simple but effective way to accelerate the professional development of high-performance female coaches. Congratulations to all who have been identified by their respective unions to participate and we look forward to following their journey as they are embedded into Rugby World Cup 2021 senior coaching management teams.”
Fiji, New Zealand, and Wales will confirm participating female coaches at a later stage this year and the remaining three teams to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021 will also be afforded the opportunity to identify female coaches to participate in the innovative program.
The Rugby World Cup 2021 Coaching Internship Program is funded as part of the International Olympic Committee’s international development grant awarded to World Rugby.
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