Alder, who has held high profile performance pathway roles with the English Institute of Sport (EIS), worked with Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and, most recently, for UK Sport, is re-united with the WRU’s performance director Nigel Walker – who is a former national director at EIS.
As well as working with athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sport over the last five years, Alder spent more than two years as high performance development lead for New Zealand Rugby League, and was part of the New Zealand ‘Kiwis’ management staff at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
“I’m delighted that John has agreed to head up our performance pathway team, not least because I have worked directly with him in previous roles and I know what an asset he will be to Welsh rugby,” said Walker.
“This is a complex and vital role at the WRU, with co-ordination of pathway talent through the regional academies, our Premiership clubs and our age group sides, in both the men’s and women’s game, a central priority.
“This is no simple task and there is a lot of hard work ahead which is vital to the future sustainability of performance rugby in Wales, but it is absolutely a challenge that I know John will be equal to.”
Nigel Walker
Originally from Gloucester, Alder is a former England U18 international in rugby union and spent the early part of his career working in education as a rugby specialist and studying high performance sport, securing a PhD in High Performance Sports Management from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
“I am excited to return to rugby and to be joining an ambitious organisation which cares deeply about the game, its people and community,” said Alder.
“I have been fortunate to be supported by some great leaders so far during my career and Nigel Walker is one of those who has been a significant influence, so I am delighted to be linking up with him once again.
“I look forward to helping create a thriving development environment that enables young men and women to fulfil their potential and dreams on and off the rugby pitch.
John Alder at Wembley
“There are foundations to build on, but I am most looking forward to exploring, together with the performance rugby community, the question of ‘what will it take to make Wales the best place in the world to be a developing rugby player?’ and I am incredibly enthusiastic about bringing all I have learnt to this big adventure with the WRU.”
