The Welsh Rugby Union is proud to announce Siwan Lillicrap has been appointed as the head of women’s coaching and development.
The newly created role acknowledges the rapid growth of the women’s and girls’ game globally and is a key appointment in the WRU’s ‘One Wales’ strategy.
The former Wales captain, who on w51 caps for her country, already played a key role within the WRU and the women’s and girls’ game in Wales.
She will deliver an aligned coaching and development system across the women’s performance pathway for players between 14 and 24 years of age.
Lillicrap transitioned to being the WRU’s Pathway Manager for the three Player Development Centres that were established in 2023.
She combined her role managing the PDC’s – in East Wales, West Wales and North Wales – with and was Wales WU18s Head coach.
In her role with the PDC’s and as Wales WU18s coach she has guided young players to play cross-border rugby in the Celtic Challenge for Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning.
Lillicrap has a unique insight and experience of the rapidly growing player pathway in the women’s game in Wales.
As Wales WU18s coach, Lillicrap saw her young Wales side record 32-24 victory over England in the 2026 U18s Six Nations Festival.
She became one of the 12 ‘Originals’ to be awarded the first full-time WRU playing contracts for Wales Women and retired from international rugby in 2022.
Lillicrap, said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this new role and bring my passion, knowledge and experience to this next chapter of developing our women’s and girl’s pathway.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three and a half years working with Wales U18s and as Performance Pathway Manager.
“During that time, we have seen our develop system develop and players transition successfully into senior environments, it has been hugely rewarding to play a small part in that journey.
“There is an exciting generation of young talent emerging in Wales, with enormous potential for the future.
“I hope to bring the critical learnings and experiences I have gained throughout my career into this new role, while continuing to support and challenge the next generation of players and coaches.
“We have an ambitious and aspirational pathway in Wales, with a clear vision to develop people and players who can ultimately help Welsh Rugby succeed at the very highest level.”
WRU’s Technical Director, Rhys Long, said: “This is a key appointment for the WRU and recognises the rapid growth in playing numbers and coaches across the women’s game in Wales.
“Siwan’s brings a wealth of playing experience as a former Wales captain and her role as WRU Pathway Manager for the Player Development Centres for women’s and girls rugby was key to her appointment.
“This experience of Welsh rugby from almost every perspective gives her a unique understanding of the game and makes her exceptionally well placed to help guide our Welsh Rugby DNA.
“She will bring together the principles of How We Play, How We Coach and The Future Welsh Player, which we will be introducing across our entire pathway, ensuring that our decisions around players, coaches and pathway development are consistently driven by our ambition to produce future winning Welsh players.”