The roll out of strategic development programmes in the Pacific Islands has been boosted by the appointment of High Performance Managers in the Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Member Unions. The appointments have been approved by the Pacific Islands Advisory Committee (PIAC). The IRB is investing £30 million (NZ$ 74 million) in global development programmes including over £7 million (NZ$ 18 million) in the Pacific region.
“The IRB’s Tier 2 Pacific Islands strategic investment initiatives are picking up momentum following the formation of the Pacific Islands Advisory Committee in August 2005. The Committee was created by the IRB Executive Committee to oversee the establishment and implementation of the development programmes in the region as part of the IRB’s Strategic Plan,” said PIAC Chairman Bob Tuckey following the recent PIAC meeting in Apia, Samoa.
“This new investment encompasses the development of high performance infrastructure, management and academies within each Union, as well as the establishment of new competitions at provincial and international level. Importantly, since last August the Committee has overseen the appointment of a high performance manager for each of the Unions and they will commence work for their respective Unions during January and February 2006.”
“The appointed *High Performance Managers are Peter Murphy (Fiji), Peter Horne (Samoa) and Andrew Stainlay (Tonga).”
“They will work closely with the National coaches in developing high performance programmes and in the delivery of those programmes to primarily home based players, particularly those to be selected in each of the Unions’ high performance academies which are in the process of being set up. Those players to be offered places in the academies will be selected during the first part of 2006.
“These high performance appointments follow on from the appointment of William Glenwright, formerly of the Australian Sports Commission, as IRB General Manager Pacific Islands. He will also work closely with the Unions in the implementation of the high performance initiatives.
“Tenders for the construction of high performance facilities and for the supply of equipment and development of Rugby pitches are currently under way. It is anticipated that this work will be nearing completion in each of the Unions during the third quarter of 2006,” added Mr Tuckey.
In total the IRB’s investment in new initiatives in the Samoan, Fijian and Tongan Rugby Unions will amount to about £7 million (NZ$ 18 million) over the next three years. This investment is in addition to the funds currently provided to the Unions by way of development grants and other assistance.
Each of the three Unions are currently re-addressing their short to medium term Strategic Plans to ensure that appropriate strategies are in place to maximise the benefit from the new investment funds.
“Its early days yet but I think the progress that has been made over the past five months is extremely encouraging. The Boards and management of the Unions need to be congratulated on the exceptional effort they have put in over this period, which has in turn underwritten the progress achieved to date,” said Mr Tuckey.
* Peter Murphy (Fiji) Peter was an elite athlete in rowing, representing Australia at Olympic level. He has worked with elite athletes and coaches within the Australian Olympic Committee where one of his key tasks was to lead, manage, and coordinate the Australian Olympic Committee’s participation in the East Asian Games. This delegation was approximately 450 athletes and officials. He has strong administration skills and his knowledge of high performance will enable him to support and expand the development programme in Fiji.
Andrew Stainlay (Tonga) Andrew was most recently employed by the New South Wales Institute of Sport as a senior sports consultant. In this position he managed a budget of AUS$1 million which supported around 200 athletes and 33 coaches. He is well versed in all the key components of high performance systems and will bring invaluable experience and knowledge to Tongan Rugby Union.
Peter Horne (Samoa) Peter was most recently employed as the high performance manager for Equestrian Australia. He has managed athletes at the highest level including the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. He has managed complex budgets and logistical programmes as well as providing the leadership for the development of high performance systems. He has a Rugby background and has played at club level under the current ACT Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher.
Further Information:
Greg Thomas
IRB Head of Communications
+353 1240 9214 or +353 86 819 6149
greg.thomas@irb.com
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