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2027 Director of Rugby

Expression of Interest

Our Mission: Foster a lifelong love of rugby while developing every child’s potential.

Director of Rugby — 2027

Racing Rugby Club of Melbourne

Reports to: Club President and Committee
Works with: Coaches, assistant coaches, team managers and relevant committee members

Role purpose

The Director of Rugby leads the development and consistency of coaching across Racing, helping every coach create a positive, safe and rewarding experience for junior players.

The role sets coaching standards, develops coaches’ skills and confidence, and ensures all teams reflect the club’s philosophy and FABS mantra: Fun, Achievable, Belonging and Safe.

Success means stronger coaches, improving players and a connected club where children want to keep playing rugby.

Key responsibilities

1. Set and uphold coaching standards

  • Work with the committee to select, recruit and appoint coaches to appropriate playing groups.

  • Maintain and embed the club’s Coaching Charter, with clear expectations for preparation, coaching conduct, communication and player development.

  • Establish a consistent approach to coaching across age groups while allowing coaches to adapt to their players’ needs and stages of development.

  • Ensure coaching practices reflect FABS, including achievable challenges, inclusive participation and a strong sense of belonging.

  • Reinforce the club’s expectations around fair game time, respectful behaviour and player welfare.

2. Develop and support coaches

  • Understand each coach’s experience, strengths and development needs.

  • Provide practical mentoring through training observations, constructive feedback and follow-up support.

  • Run regular coaching forums, practical workshops and opportunities for coaches to share ideas.

  • Help coaches improve session planning, skill instruction, communication and their ability to engage players of different abilities.

  • Support new and assistant coaches to build confidence and take on greater responsibility.

3. Establish a club-wide player development approach

  • Develop a simple, age-appropriate framework outlining the core skills players should learn and build on as they progress through the club.

  • Support consistent teaching of foundational skills, including handling, passing, catching, tackling, contact technique, support play and game awareness.

  • Help coaches use enjoyable, purposeful activities and small-sided games that maximise participation and learning.

  • Encourage long-term player development, confidence and decision-making alongside competitive performance.

4. Embed the club’s philosophy in every team

  • Help coaches translate FABS into everyday training and match-day behaviours.

  • Promote an environment where every player feels valued, receives useful feedback and has opportunities to improve.

  • Encourage a consistent, positive approach to mistakes, effort, teamwork and success.

  • Work with coaches to balance competition with the club’s commitment to participation, development and retention.

5. Support safe coaching and player welfare

  • Work with the committee to ensure coaches hold the required accreditations and meet club safeguarding requirements.

  • Reinforce safe, age-appropriate coaching practices, particularly for tackling, contact and set pieces.

  • Ensure coaches understand and follow applicable safety, injury and concussion procedures.

  • Address coaching concerns promptly and constructively, escalating welfare, conduct or safeguarding matters through the appropriate club channels.

6. Build coaching alignment and continuity

  • Establish regular communication between coaches across age groups.

  • Coordinate opportunities for shared training, specialist coaching and collaboration where beneficial.

  • Support players and coaches as they transition between age groups and playing formats.

  • Assist the committee with coach recruitment, appointment, induction and succession planning.

7. Review and improve the rugby programme

  • Agree practical coaching and player development priorities before the season.

  • Regularly review progress through coach discussions, training observations and player and parent feedback.

  • Identify common development needs and coordinate support across teams.

  • Provide concise updates and recommendations to the committee.

Skills and attributes

  • Experience coaching junior rugby and developing age-appropriate skills.

  • A strong commitment to Racing’s FABS values and inclusive club culture.

  • The ability to mentor volunteer coaches with encouragement, clarity and constructive feedback.

  • Sound knowledge of safe coaching practices and junior player development.

  • Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.

  • Relevant coaching accreditation, or a willingness to obtain it, and a current Working with Children Check.

What success looks like

  • Coaches understand and consistently apply the Coaching Charter and FABS values.

  • Coaches feel supported and demonstrate improvement in their coaching practice.

  • Players across all age groups develop stronger core skills, confidence and enjoyment.

  • Teams provide a consistent experience of inclusion, safety and belonging.

  • The club builds a sustainable coaching group, with new coaches supported to develop.

Scope of the role

The Director of Rugby sets the coaching framework and supports coaches to deliver it. Team coaches retain responsibility for their teams’ day-to-day coaching and match-day decisions, within club policies and agreed standards.

It is expected this role will requirement 2-4 hours of commitment per week. 


If this is the role for you please fill in the Racing Rugby 2027 Director or Rugby Expression of Interest – Fill in form by the 13th of November. Please direct any questions to enquiries@racingrugbymelbourne.org.au