All applicants should send their initial expressions of interest together with any questions and clarifications needed to headofrugby@horshamrufc.com for consideration. Applicants that meet the essential criteria will be reviewed and invited for a short panel interview with a view to appoint by 30 June 2024.

Full details below:

With the successful establishment of women’s rugby at Horsham Rugby Club over the last 4 seasons, and building on very successful girls section which has produced several age group internationals, the Women’s team have gone from strength to strength. Horsham Women won NC2 in their first full year of league rugby in 2022/23, and following promotion to NC1 finished a very credible 3rd in the league. This incredible achievement is testament to all the hard work of the players, coaches and managers who continue to fly the flag for the Women’s game in Horsham and the South East. With this success, we are now looking to develop the coaching team further to appoint a Performance Coach whose responsibility will be to continue to build on this success. The Women’s team now comprises of some 40 dedicated players and now have two distinct groups of players, developmental and aspirational as a 1st and Development XV. With a crop of exciting talent coming through from the Junior section, the opportunity to further raise playing standards to a level that meets with these future players aspirations, whilst simultaneously attracting players to Horsham, the Performance coach will have a central role to play in this future positioning. As a section, the Women’s team are at the start of an exciting journey towards excellence with the aspirations to deliver a best in class offering for our players such that our Women’s and girls section becomes a leading centre in the SE of England.

With terms of reference to be defined in full by our Head of Rugby (to be shared with applicants), the headline responsibilities for the Women’s Performance Coach are summarised below:

Establish and agree playing objectives / priorities for the Women’s teams as part of the wider development plan that caters for playing priorities – i.e Cup Competitions vs League vs player development focussing on maximising participation over a “win at all costs” mentality.

Establish a development pathway for each player to ascertain development needs whilst assisting in the smooth transition from junior to adult rugby once players become eligible.

Manage the coaching team to deliver the playing objectives.

Ensure the provision of quality coaching throughout the season to all players in the Women’s teams with due regard for player ability, experience, welfare and age restrictions as required. Guidelines to coaching as defined by the RFU.

To be considered for the position, the following requirements are essential:

Qualified RFU Level 2 coach or equivalent as a minimum. Preference given to Level 3 qualified coaches or those already undertaking the L3 course.
At least 3 years active coaching experience.
Demonstrable desire to improve coaching skills through attendance of CPD or other developmental activities.
Completed Head Case online training within the last 12 months.
Demonstrates clear understanding of the RFU core values and embodies these in their daily interactions whilst coaching the players and through contact with various stakeholder groups.

Desirable Experience

In order to help foster a performance culture, the ideal candidate will have had recent experience (within the last 5 years) of playing rugby and preferably at a performance level (1st team) in order to pass along this experience to players who in turn have playing aspirations of their own.
Good contacts within Sussex coaching community to promote Horsham players as potential representative players.