International Rugby Board Strengthens Internal Structure
The latest phase of the International Rugby Board’s internal modernisation programme was announced today with a series of departmental changes within the Rugby World Cup, Communications, Rugby Services and Member Services Departments. The changes have been implemented to meet the changing and increasing demands on the organisation and to ensure it has the professional structures in place to drive the key objectives of the Strategic Plan, promote the Game worldwide and deliver the next two Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2007 and 2011.
The Rugby World Cup tournament is now one of the world’s largest sporting events and within the Rugby World Cup Department the two operations managers have been promoted. Kit McConnell has been appointed Head of the Rugby World Cup Department. Ross Young, presently based in France overseeing operational management issues for RWC 2007, has been appointed General Manager Rugby World Cup.
The IRB’s commitment to the delivery of TV and radio rugby broadcasting, via its highly successful weekly Total Rugby programmes and other broadcast projects, is highlighted by the appointment of Chris Rea, the former Head of Communications, as Controller Broadcast Production.
In the Communications Department, Communications Manager Greg Thomas becomes Head of Communications with responsibility for media management and relations, promotion of the Game, internal and external communications and issues and brand management. Communications Assistant Alison Hughes has been appointed Operations Manager with responsibility for event production, brand guidelines and department operations. Lynda Glennon joins the Communications Department as Graphic Designer to provide graphic and desktop publishing solutions across the organisation. The IRB will also advertise in the near future for a Communications Officer.
Within the Rugby Services Department Bruce Cook, formerly the Training Manager, has been appointed IRB Development Manager with primary responsibility for managing regional development programmes and the eight IRB Regional Development Managers, based in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and South America. The position of Training Manager will be advertised in the near future.
As the first part of the review of the Council and Member Services Department Ilaria Baudo has been appointed Anti Doping Administrator to assist Anti Doping Manager Tim Ricketts in the delivery of the IRB’s WADA approved anti doping programme. In 2006 the testing programme will continue to include testing at the IRB's regional, age grade and Tier 2 tournaments, random testing at RWC 2007 qualifying matches and Out of Competition testing. This is over and above testing carried out by national unions.
The IRB will continue to assess its structures in order to enhance its operational capabilities and its ability to deliver the initiatives and objectives as laid out in the Strategic Plan.
Further Information:
The Rugby World Cup tournament is now one of the world’s largest sporting events and within the Rugby World Cup Department the two operations managers have been promoted. Kit McConnell has been appointed Head of the Rugby World Cup Department. Ross Young, presently based in France overseeing operational management issues for RWC 2007, has been appointed General Manager Rugby World Cup.
The IRB’s commitment to the delivery of TV and radio rugby broadcasting, via its highly successful weekly Total Rugby programmes and other broadcast projects, is highlighted by the appointment of Chris Rea, the former Head of Communications, as Controller Broadcast Production.
In the Communications Department, Communications Manager Greg Thomas becomes Head of Communications with responsibility for media management and relations, promotion of the Game, internal and external communications and issues and brand management. Communications Assistant Alison Hughes has been appointed Operations Manager with responsibility for event production, brand guidelines and department operations. Lynda Glennon joins the Communications Department as Graphic Designer to provide graphic and desktop publishing solutions across the organisation. The IRB will also advertise in the near future for a Communications Officer.
Within the Rugby Services Department Bruce Cook, formerly the Training Manager, has been appointed IRB Development Manager with primary responsibility for managing regional development programmes and the eight IRB Regional Development Managers, based in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and South America. The position of Training Manager will be advertised in the near future.
As the first part of the review of the Council and Member Services Department Ilaria Baudo has been appointed Anti Doping Administrator to assist Anti Doping Manager Tim Ricketts in the delivery of the IRB’s WADA approved anti doping programme. In 2006 the testing programme will continue to include testing at the IRB's regional, age grade and Tier 2 tournaments, random testing at RWC 2007 qualifying matches and Out of Competition testing. This is over and above testing carried out by national unions.
The IRB will continue to assess its structures in order to enhance its operational capabilities and its ability to deliver the initiatives and objectives as laid out in the Strategic Plan.
Further Information:
Greg Thomas, IRB Communications Manager, +353 1240 9214 or +353 86 819 6149 greg.thomas@irb.com
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