The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to announce Dave Reddin has been appointed as its new Director of Rugby and Elite Performance.
Reddin brings more than 30-years’ experience in elite professional sport which includes an array of achievements across rugby union, football and the Olympics.
His rugby experience began in 1996 as a fitness coach with Leicester Tigers before going on to be part of the management team for the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning England side and the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005.
As Head of Performance Services for the British Olympic Association, he led the provision of sport and athlete support at the Olympic games in Vancouver in 2010 and London 2012.
During six years with the Football Association he was a key part of the organisational transformation of England National teams which led to one of the most successful periods in English Football history, creating the platform for age group team tournament success as well as significant improvements in men’s and women’s senior team performances in major tournaments.
In club football he was part of a management team who led the acquisition and transformation of third tier Spanish Football club, CD Castellon, creating the circumstances for their promotion to the second tier of Spanish football.
Most recently, Reddin has been working with UK Sport and assisting on developing strategies for the future of the UK Olympic sport system.
Reddin joins the WRU full time from the 1st September but will progressively increase his involvement from the 1st July.
He will immediately add his considerable experience to Welsh rugby’s search for a new senior men’s team head coach.
He will be responsible for developing and implementing detailed structures and plans to bring to life the intent under the recently published ‘One Wales’ strategy.
This work will encompass responsibility for all of the men’s and women’s national teams and pathways as well as working closely with the professional clubs to ensure the high performance system in Welsh rugby delivers on the aim of sustainable and enduring success.
“We are delighted Dave has agreed to join Welsh rugby at this exciting time,” said WRU CEO Abi Tierney.
“He brings a level of expertise and experience in directly relevant elite sporting environments unmatched around the globe and we know the whole game in Wales will reap the benefits of this appointment.
“We looked at a wide range of candidates for this position and I would like to thank all the people who expressed their interest and all individuals who have offered advice and counsel on who would be the best person for this job.
“Without exception, everyone I have consulted about Dave Reddin has given a glowing recommendation and we know we have achieved a real coup by persuading him to join us.”
The WRU was the first Union to appoint a Director of Rugby when Ray Williams took on the post in 1967. The job title has changed over the years, but Reddin will effectively be the 14th appointment to the role*.
“I am delighted and honoured to be joining Welsh rugby at such a pivotal time in the rich history of the game here,” said Reddin.
“This is one of the biggest jobs in world rugby because of the passion and meaning the game has in Wales.
“There are well documented challenges but I’m inspired by the very real potential implicit in the new vision and strategy Abi and her team have communicated.
“My immediate focus is on the appointment of the next senior men’s head coach but I will also be immersing myself in gaining an understanding of the people and the game in Wales as quickly as possible to give me the insight to start to make positive changes for the future.”