RYAN
- Rugby Head Coach/Backs Specialist/
- Preston, UK
Personal Summary
Experienced and versatile rugby coach with 18 years across national teams, academies, colleges, universities, independent schools, and community sport clubs. RFU Level 3 Advanced Coaching Award holder and former Namibia international scrum‑half (10 caps), with a proven record of progressing players into Premiership, Championship, and international rugby, including Sam Bedlow, Adam Brocklebank, Diego Hassa‑Ferreira, Patrice Bell, and Hermann Coetzee.
A specialist in age‑grade development, half‑back play, decision‑making, and core skill excellence, I create learning environments that challenge players, build autonomy, and support long‑term athlete development. My coaching is underpinned by strong performance analysis skills, player reviews, and clear communication.
Alongside high‑performance coaching, I work as a Health & Wellbeing Coordinator, delivering programmes that support physical, emotional, and social wellbeing across all ages. This includes walking football for older adults, inclusive multi‑sport sessions, and 1:1 mentoring for young people facing exclusion, low confidence, or mental‑health challenges. I regularly collaborate with schools, councils, police, and community partners to create safe, supportive environments where individuals can thrive.
I bring extensive safeguarding awareness, behaviour management experience, and the ability to build strong relationships with pupils, parents, staff, and multi‑disciplinary teams. My background includes national U20 leadership, ACE pathway coaching, BUCS university performance programmes, and residential boarding experience at Sedbergh School.
Flexible and willing to relocate for the right school or performance programme. Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (UK) and able to provide a Home Office share code to confirm right to work.
Work Experience
I deliver and support a wide range of community programmes that use sport, mentoring and education to improve wellbeing, confidence and life skills across diverse age groups. My work includes leading physical activity sessions, mentoring young people aged 10 to 25 who are at risk of offending behaviours, supporting vulnerable adults and delivering inclusive sports programmes for older adults, refugees and school pupils. I build strong relationships with participants, schools, councils, police and local partners to ensure safe and positive environments where individuals can develop resilience, teamwork and healthy habits. I also support behaviour management, one to one mentoring, programme planning and impact evaluation to ensure high quality delivery and measurable outcomes.
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Coached the national U20s squad and supported player development across technical, tactical and physical areas. Delivered alignment camps and worked across the national pathway, building relationships with schools, private schools, colleges and universities in Namibia, South Africa and other countries. Contributed to planning for international tournaments including the Barthes Cup, supporting logistics such as kit preparation, sponsorship, accommodation, nutritious meals and travel arrangements for players arriving from different regions. Worked as Academy Manager to introduce rugby to boys and girls in schools, organising transport, medical cover and the first Namibian girls’ tag tournament with more than 250 participants. Recruited and supported volunteer coaches to deliver community tag rugby programmes. Assisted with fitness testing and worked alongside the strength and conditioning coach to monitor player readiness and development.
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Led the senior squad mid-season, delivering high performance coaching across technical, tactical and strategic areas. Guided the team to victory in the Papa John’s Men’s Community Cup Counties 3 and Below North Plate. Worked closely with the player chairman to plan training content, review performances and support player development. Communicated regularly with players and staff to ensure clarity around sessions, match preparation and team expectations. Contributed to analysis, session planning and maintaining a positive and professional team environment. |
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Led the senior men’s programme and achieved promotion for the first time in 25 years. Reached the Manx Cup Final and supported the ladies’ and youth sections across coaching and player development. Planned and delivered youth camps, including session design, staffing, safeguarding responsibilities and risk assessments. Secured government funding to support club development and to provide transport for visiting teams. Organised major events such as hosting Bryan Habana and Rory Underwood, and delivered Easter rugby festivals involving multiple UK teams. Coordinated weekend‑long logistics including transportation, pitch scheduling, inflatables, timings for games and communication with clubs. |
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Delivered multi‑sport sessions across schools and community settings, supporting physical activity, confidence and skill development for children and young people. Worked with teachers and school staff to plan and deliver engaging PE lessons and after‑school programmes. Supported behaviour management, inclusion and pastoral needs to ensure sessions were safe, positive and accessible for all participants. Contributed to holiday camps, community events and wider programme delivery across the borough. |
Coached the men’s programme across the first, second and third teams, delivering technical, tactical and strategic development. Achieved a league title and promotion and won the Roses varsity match for the first time in ten years. Delivered analysis sessions, individual player reviews and supported weekly planning to ensure consistency across the programme.
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Delivered rugby coaching and player development sessions for 16–19 year olds within the college’s performance programme Planned and delivered technical, tactical and strength‑and‑conditioning sessions aligned with curriculum requirements Supported player reviews, analysis sessions and individual development plans Assisted with match preparation, team selection and competition days Worked collaboratively with lecturers, support staff and external partners to create a safe, inclusive learning environment Provided pastoral support and guidance to students balancing academic and sporting commitments
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Coaching ages 1–74 through 1:1 sessions, group coaching and holiday camps Founded the business on the Isle of Man: delivering private coaching, running half‑term camps, employing sessional staff Responsible for safeguarding, DBS, safer recruitment, health & safety, pitch checks and risk assessments Coordinated first‑aid provision with St John’s Ambulance Experience communicating with parents, managing bookings and creating inclusive, safe sessions Creator of a rugby coaching YouTube channel (8k+ subscribers) producing kids’ multi‑skills videos, over‑70s workouts, rugby drills and Q&As with two ex‑international rugby‑playing brothers
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Delivered sports lectures, seminars and tutorials across a range of modules. Assessed coursework and practical assessments and supervised student research projects. Planned and delivered multi‑sports sessions as part of the curriculum. Provided pastoral support to students, helping them with academic progress, wellbeing and engagement. Contributed to programme planning and ensured sessions met educational, safeguarding and health and safety standards.
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Delivered coaching and development support across schools, clubs and community programmes within the RFU framework. Planned and delivered high‑quality sessions for a range of age groups, supporting player development, participation and retention. Worked with teachers, club coaches and volunteers to improve coaching standards and create safe, inclusive environments. Supported festivals, CPD workshops and local rugby events, contributing to safeguarding, risk assessments and match‑day organisation. Built strong relationships with schools and clubs to grow the game and strengthen pathways. |
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Delivered freelance coaching and development work across Lancashire, including: · Lancashire Rugby Mentor Scheme · Delivered residential coaching at Sedbergh School summer camps, supporting player development and pastoral care in a high‑performance environment. · Coaching support for the Lancaster University Women’s Rugby programme · Fylde & Wyre School Sport Partnership · School of Hard Knocks · Go Try Rugby · Community rugby coaching in the Fylde area while playing semi‑professionally for Fylde RUFC · Coach mentoring, club support and delivery of rugby development programmes across local schools and clubs
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Represented Fylde RUFC in National League competitions as a semi‑professional player
Contributed to team performance, match preparation and training sessions
Supported community rugby delivery in the Fylde area through school visits and engagement sessions
Acted as a positive role model for young players and promoted club values within the local community
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Represented Moseley’s 1st XV as a professional scrum‑half over two seasons Contributed to match preparation, team strategy and high‑performance training environments Planned and delivered weekly coaching sessions for Moseley Women’s Rugby and the University of Birmingham Engineers Men’s team Delivered coaching sessions in local primary and secondary schools, supporting skill development, spatial awareness, defensive structures and core techniques Acted as a positive role model within the community
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