Rugby in Wales isn’t just a sport; it is a language, a history, and a heartbeat. From the village parks on a Saturday afternoon to the hallowed turf of the Principality Stadium on a Six Nations weekend, our game thrives on passion, skill, and an uncompromising work ethic.
But who builds the architects of that game? Who shapes the coaches standing on the touchlines, guiding our most promising players?
The Welsh Rugby Union is looking for the answer to that question. And we believe the answer is you.
We are seeking experienced, passionate, and visionary individuals to join the WRU in mentoring coaches on the Advance coaching course.
This is not a job title; it is a calling.
Why This Role Matters More Than Ever
We are currently in an era where the demands on coaches are greater than they have ever been. The modern game is a complex ecosystem of tactics, sports science, player welfare, and emotional intelligence. The coaches within our Advanced course are exceptional they hold the keys to the future of Welsh rugby. But even the best need a mirror. Even the most experienced need a sounding board.
A Coach mentor is the bridge between potential and excellence.
When you step into this role, you are multiplying your impact. You are taking the decades of experience you have accumulated the wins, the losses, the man-management successes, and the hard lessons learned in the rain and you are injecting that wisdom into the coaches who will shape the next generation of Welsh internationals.
This position is the bedrock of our legacy. If we want Wales to remain a powerhouse on the world stage, we don’t just need to develop players; we must develop the people who develop them.
We are not looking for the loudest voice in the room. We are looking for the wisest.
We are after individuals who possess a unique blend of humility and authority. You might be a former professional player, a long-serving club coach, or a seasoned educator. Your background may vary, but your character must align with the following:
The Humble Expert: You have nothing left to prove. You have moved past the ego of winning a trophy and now find satisfaction in watching others succeed. You understand that mentoring isn’t about telling someone how to coach; it’s about asking the right questions to help them discover their own best version of coaching.
The Emotional Leader: Coaching is a lonely job. We need mentors who can read the room, who understand the pressure of performance, and who can support a coach’s well-being as much as their tactical development. You are a safe pair of hands, someone a coach can be vulnerable with.
The Systems Thinker: You understand that coaching doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You are passionate about the WRU pathway and understand how to align individual coach development with the broader strategic goals of Welsh rugby.
The Lifelong Learner: Just because you are the mentor doesn’t mean you have stopped growing. We are looking for people who are curious, who stay abreast of modern pedagogical methods (how adults learn best), and who are willing to learn alongside their mentees.
Let’s be honest signing up to be a Coach mentor is not about fame. You won’t see your name in Wales online for this. The glory is subtle.
It is found in a quiet text message from a young coach at 10:30 PM after a difficult loss, thanking you for the perspective you gave them. It is seen in the way a previously rigid coach softens their approach to connect with a struggling fly-half. It is felt in the stands when you watch a team playing with a style and structure that you know, deep down, was nurtured in your conversations over coffee.
If you have a passion for Welsh rugby that transcends your own personal accolades, if you believe that our best days are ahead of us, provided we invest in the right people, then we need you.
We need your stories. We need your scars. We need your wisdom.
The players will change. The tactics will evolve. The jerseys will update. But the constant that keeps Welsh rugby great is the quality of the people leading it.
Will you help us ensure that standard never drops?
WRU Advanced Coaching Mentor – Reports to: WRU Lead of Coach Development
Purpose: To support, challenge, and develop coaches participating in the WRU Advanced Coaching Course, enabling them to refine their coaching practice and deepen their impact on players, teams, and communities.
Key Responsibilities:
One-to-One Mentoring Meet with allocated coaches to support their development goals.
Observation & Feedback Observe coaches in their coaching environment (where feasible) and provide structured, developmental feedback.
Reflective Practice Guide coaches in reflective practice, helping them analyse their own coaching and identify areas for growth.
Resource Sharing Share relevant resources, frameworks, and insights from your own experience.
Mentor Reflection Participate in mentor cohort sessions to share learning, challenges, and best practices with fellow mentors.
Evaluation Complete pre- and post-course evaluations, providing feedback on the mentorship experience to inform continuous improvement.
Commitment:
The mentor would be expected to participate in 8 mentoring sessions with their coach and create an evidenced based portfolio over the period of the course.
They would also be expected to attend 3 mentor cohort sessions (virtual, 90 minutes) for the development of themselves and to maintain consistency of their support.
Finally there would be and expectation that they contribute to the Post-course evaluation session.
Remuneration:
Honorarium of £300 per coach
Benefits:
Formal WRU Mentor Accreditation
Access to WRU High-Performing Coach Development network
Invitation to WRU Coach Development events and CCD opportunities
Branded WRU Mentor kit
The opportunity to shape the future of Welsh rugby coaching
Coaching Experience Minimum 5 years coaching experience (club, regional, school or age-grade)
Qualification WRU Level 3 Coaching Certificate (SRU Level 3/RFU Level 3)
Playing background not mandatory but considered. Playing experience alone does not substitute for coaching experience
Welsh Rugby Context Demonstrated understanding of the Welsh rugby landscape, club culture, and community values.