Community Rugby Officer (Fingal)

Exists to promote the game and to develop clubs and the wider community in order to support increased player participation in the Dublin Fingal area. The post holder works alongside the Community Rugby Officer Lead (Metro area) and the Community Rugby Manager, with a functional reporting line to the Head of Rugby Development. The role carries no line-management responsibility, but requires close working with CCROs, client clubs and schools, and ongoing liaison with the Coach Development team to identify needs and opportunities.

• Take responsibility for a geographical region and/or a cluster of clubs and the wider community.
• Grow the game in identified clubs and the wider community so that players have a lifelong experience of the game, equally across the male and female disciplines.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all clubs and their status and progress against agreed Rugby Operational Development Plans.
• Work with the Community Rugby Manager and Community Rugby Officer Lead to implement Community Rugby partnerships, including clusters of clubs working together to employ a Local Development Officer
• Drawing on provincial funding sources and developing partnership agreements for the good of Irish Rugby.
• Identify potential feeder schools for clubs and initiate interaction with schools, prioritising schools for a rugby development programme and delivering those programmes as required, including block schedules of coaching sessions and courses to meet individual school needs.
• Deliver Blitzes, Extravaganzas and similar events under the leadership of the Community Rugby Manager and Community Rugby Officer Lead.
• Maintain a full understanding of Club Support Scheme criteria, including all development programmes and administration, and signpost issues back to the IRFU where required, using the support documents and templates available to clubs.
• Work with clubs so that they benefit from provincial programmes to develop and recognise volunteers, and implement seminars and workshops to increase the knowledge and expertise of volunteers.
• Work with allocated clubs to ensure they embrace the IRFU Child Welfare Policy and have an appointed Child Welfare Officer, reporting non-compliant clubs to the Programmes/Participation Manager.
• Facilitate the operation of IRFU Tag in designated clubs, schools and community settings.
• Facilitate the operation of summer camps as requested in local clubs and community settings.
• Hold responsibility for the operation of summer camps in line with IRFU Policy, including approving venues, distributing promotional literature, monitoring camp capacity and appointing suitably qualified coaches.
• Ensure clubs remain active and update the player registration system each season so that player numbers are accurate, reporting clubs that are not compliant to the Community Rugby Manager.
• Facilitate projects as determined by the Head of Rugby Development.

• Ability to interact with players and coaches from Stage 1–3.
• Ability to critically review performance processes and outcomes.
• Ability to work with volunteer club members.
• Ability to influence others and encourage new ways of thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Clarity in decision-making.
• Well-developed time-management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines and to prioritise work.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Good negotiating skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant IT systems.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Knowledge and understanding of Irish Rugby, demonstrable in decisions across coaching, refereeing and player development within a club environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Long-Term Player Development Model.
• A clear understanding of the needs of club volunteers.
• Knowledge of the designated geographical area.

• Knowledge of the developmental pathways for rugby players.
• Knowledge of specific preparation needs of players and coaches.
• Knowledge of the sporting landscape within the Isle of Ireland.
• Practical experience of working in sports development and club development.
• Experience of working within a sports organisation.
• Knowledge of the relevant County Council(s) within the assigned area (Fingal).
• Coaching qualifications at LTPD stages 1–3.

• 5/7 working arrangement including evenings and weekends, with core days determined by the line manager.