Leinster Rugby is seeking applications for the position of Provincial Pathway Coach (Women’s Pathway).

This role is responsible for the delivery of the integrated women’s provincial player identification and development programmes across Leinster for female players aged 18-23, ensuring all aspects of the associated programmes are planned and delivered to the highest standards and consistent with the stated National and Provincial objectives.

The closing date for applications is 10am on Monday, 5 October 2026.

This is a full-time position, offered on a two-year fixed-term contract.

For more information, please see the job description below.

Leinster Rugby is an equal opportunities employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

ROLE TITLE:       Provincial Pathway Coach (Women’s Pathway)

ROLE AND PURPOSE:

This role is responsible for the delivery of the integrated women’s provincial player identification and development programmes across Leinster for female players aged 18-23, ensuring all aspects of the associated programmes are planned and delivered to the highest standards and consistent with the stated National and Provincial objectives.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Operational:

Provincial Pathway Manager, Leinster Rugby

Functional:

Women’s National WNTS and Talent Identification Manager, IRFU, and Women’s Strategy Manager, IRFU

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Provincial Pathway Athletic Development Coach
  • Pathway Athletic Development Coach, WNTS
  • Provincial Talent Coach, WNTS
  • Other Provincial/Pathway Talent Coaches
  • CPDOs, Leinster Rugby
  • WDOs, Leinster Rugby
  • Community Rugby Staff, Leinster Rugby
  • Academy Staff and Coaches
  • Club and University Coaches
  • Provincial and National Age Grade and Senior Representative Teams

KEY QUALITIES:

  • A minimum of two years’ experience coaching at performance level with a strong background in individual player development
  • Minimum Senior Coach Award (Stage3) IRFU qualification or equivalent
  • Detailed understanding of women’s rugby in Leinster/Ireland and a passion for creating development environments where others can grow, develop, and succeed
  • Excellent organisation, communication, and teamwork skills with the proven ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships with players/coaches and key stakeholders across the domestic and performance pathways
  • An adaptable, innovative, and flexible individual who can work collaboratively across a multi-disciplinary environment and irregular and unsocial hours
  • Strong administrative and IT skills and experience – Microsoft Office, VEO, Hudl, Teamworks, etc.
  • A full driver’s licence

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead and coordinate the delivery of the women’s provincial player identification and development programmes across Leinster as directed by the Provincial Pathway Manager, shaping high-quality training environment alongside meaningful game opportunities
  • Support the integration of system development and the fluid movement of players across the domestic and pathway programmes from Tier 1 entry level through to senior representative rugby, while simultaneously retaining female players in the Club/University game
  • Profile, develop, and manage key performance Individual Development Plans for identified female players within the pathway (18-23) as informed by established core benchmarks
  • Work within an integrated service team to deliver key Physical, Mental, Technical, Tactical, and Lifestyle skills to identified female players where applicable, ensuring players experience a single cohesive development programme
  • Assist in maintaining an accurate and up to date database of identified pathway players and players of potential (depth charts, IDP’s etc.) across all agreed platforms
  • Assist in the identification, nomination, and development of Provincial Age Grade and Senior Representative female squads, as required by the Provincial Pathway Manager and the Coach and Player Development Manager
  • Contribute to the Regional development pathway programmes (SRC) as required by the Area CPDOs and WDOs
  • Contribute to club and/or university domestic and performance coaching programmes as directed by the Provincial Pathway Manager
  • Contribute to general and targeted coach development initiatives as directed by the Provincial Pathway Manager and the Coach and Player Development Manager
  • Attend school, university and club matches to identify, track and monitor identified players
  • Complete all appropriate administrative duties as required by the Provincial Pathway Manager

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work required from this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required.  The holder of this position is required to respond with a flexible approach when tasks arise which are not specifically covered in this job description.

 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

  • Key focus will be the quantity and quality of players developed through the provincial pathway programme, consistent with the stated National and Provincial objectives, and as informed by established core benchmarks
  • Simultaneously, the retention of quality identified players and the transition of age-grade female players into the adult game (aged 18-20) is core to success; in particular, those players who have been part of the system at different stages across Tier1 and Tier2 or those moving to new (University) environments
  • Establish efficient and effective work practices that drive agreed outcomes
  • Portray a competent and professional image of Leinster Rugby and the IRFU at all times
  • Maintain accurate records, across agreed platforms, of female pathway players’ development, assessed against established benchmarks and/or agreed performance measures as included in IDP’s
  • Ensure alignment and delivery of the winning teams and high performing people pillars of the Leinster Rugby strategic plan

 

Additional KPIs will be set and agreed on an annual basis.