Manawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Turbos Assistant Coach
JOB DESCRIPTION
PURPOSE OF POSITION
1. To assist the Head Coach in the selection and development of professional players for the
Manawatu Turbos team, playing in the Mitre 10 Cup Competition.
2. To provide technical and tactical coaching to the backs.
3. Develop all aspects of back play, growing a pool of players from a wider training squad from
which the team can be selected. Provide assistance to Academy Players.
4. Provide guidance and support to other representative coaches.
5. Provide skill coaching, guidance and assistance to players at Secondary School and at Club
Rugby levels. This work is to be conducted in association with the team coaches.
6. The assistant coach will be actively involved in the recruitment of backs into the academy
from secondary schools, involving some travel, conversations with parents, school coaches
and time watching school boy rugby.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. Take a shared responsibility with the Head Coach for the success of the Turbos, year on year.
2. Ensure that the team is playing a competitive, attractive and committed style of rugby that
becomes the hallmark of Manawatu Rugby.
3. The Turbo fans are supportive of the team through the ‘hard-nosed, do or die’ attitude of
the players in their match performances.
4. Selection of players is based on performance and there is sufficient competitiveness for each
player to gain and hold their position in the team.
5. There is sufficient depth of players to fill most positions from within the Manawatu Rugby
Union’s pool of players.
6. The team to gain play-off status in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship competition and by
reaching the teams full potential, gain elevation to the Premiership competition.
ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Liaise on a daily basis with the Turbos Head Coach.
2. Liaise as appropriate with the team’s manager, and other members of the Turbos
management team.
3. Make weekly contact with the CEO to discuss progress, issues and additional support needed
to function at a high level of performance.
4. Have a close working relationship with the Coach Development Officer, Referee
Development Officer, Head Trainer, Academy Manager and Representative Team Coaches to
determine annual goals and outcomes for the growth of high performance players from
within the region.
5. Provide leadership in establishing initiatives that grow and develop the pool of players
available for selection to Representative Teams.
6. Develop and provide player development modules to assist Rugby Development Officers.
7. Source and attract talented rugby players to the province.
8. Provide assistance to all senior club coaches, without becoming attached to a particular club.
DUTIES
1. Planning
 Assist with the development of a coaching calendar that maps out fitness testing,
development activities, training camps, selection/coaching activities for the season
and up-date calendar during the season.
 Contribute to team management planning as appropriate.
 Keep Administrative staff well informed of calendar of activities and changes
through contact with the CEO.
2. Support Staff
 Assist to define specific roles of the trainer and support staff.
3. Selection
 In consultation with the Head Coach, Coach Development Manager and Academy
Manager, set up a talent ID programme, which includes participation of Manawatu
Clubs and Schools.
 Sit on various selection panels as required.
4. Development
 Assist to ensure that all prospective Mitre 10 Cup players undertake and adhere to
pre-season strength and conditioning programmes and coaching clinics as required.
 Assist to conduct squad/team training camps as appropriate.
 In consultation with the Head Coach, liaise with all prospective and selected players
throughout the season to ensure they are clear on their playing prospects, and are
given timely feedback on performance and work-ons.
 With the Head Coach, promote opportunities for overlooked players to work their
way back into the team.
 Actively promote players for national and Super 15 honours.
 Be available for Senior Club coaching support and development.
5. Coaching
 Provide leadership to the players and team management.
 Assist to plan and conduct regular coaching sessions to achieve competitive,
attractive and winning rugby.
 Prepare the team for each match and provide coaching assistance during matches as
appropriate.
 Attend national coaching clinics as required.
6. Public Relations
 Develop positive media relationships.
 Strengthen bonds with sponsors, business partners, supporters and stakeholders.
 Enhance the image of rugby through positive role modelling in all aspects, being
punctual and reliable, well presented, well-prepared, constructive in approach, and
by having positive open relationships and communication with all that you come in
contact with.
7. Reporting
 Report on a day-to-day basis to the Head Coach and Team Manager.
 Monitor and appraise progress of the team as per the development plan.
 Complete and end of year review as required by the Head Coach and CEO.
8. Recruitment
 With the Head Coach and CEO establish good working relationships with other
Unions, NZR and various other rugby networks.
 Develop an understanding of players, both from with NZ and from overseas that
may be worthy of recruitment into Manawatu to build a strong, high performing
team.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
The following essential qualities and skills are an expectation of the position:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Open and honest communicator. Will challenge others in their thinking.
Reliable
Punctual
Confident
Organised
Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Forward thinking – able to set own aspirations for the team and position, and follow this
philosophy through.
8. Computer literate – including ability to analyse match through video and computer
technology.
9. Able to facilitate meetings and coaching courses.
REMUNERATION
The salary for this position shall be negotiated at the time of appointment and will depend on the
experience and qualifications bought to the position.
John Knowles
CEO