We are delighted to announce the appointment of Fraser Goatcher as the Leicestershire and Rutland Rugby Union Women’s Head Coach.
Fraser has a wealth of experience as a coach and player. He is currently Head Coach of Leicester Tigers Women’s pathway along with Brooksby College AOC. Previous roles include Women’s Head Coach for Sussex and other county and club coaching roles. Fraser’s playing history includes Lichfield RUFC 1st XV and Sussex representative sides at U15, U20, U23 and Senior men.

Fraser is very much looking forward to his role and will be assisting with the recruitment of assistant forwards and backs coaches in the coming weeks.

Leicestershire Rugby Union is seeking to appoint a Head Coach to lead the coaching and planning of the coaching programme for the Leicestershire Ladies representative squad.

The Head Coach will lead and manage a coaching team, promote LRU CB protocol at all times and will report directly to the Director of Rugby of the Leicestershire (CB) Rugby Union.

The voluntary position provides an excellent opportunity for a Level 2 Coach to work with some of the best players in Leicestershire and offers the support of a talented coaching and administration team in an environment of shared personal development supported by the Leicestershire Rugby Union Development Committee.

More details in the document linked HEAD COACH

Following an appeal to Leicestershire and Rutland Rugby Union regarding a decision in relation to entering the County U16s Cup, please see the below rationale and background to the decision.

Oakham RFC appealed the decision of the competition secretary that they be excluded from the U16 county cup for the 2023/24 season.

The decision to exclude was made in relation to provision 2b of the cup regulations: “not played within the spirit and ethos of the Laws of the Game”. There were also concerns raised about safeguarding.

In considering the appeal the executive have applied the competition regulations (County Age Grade Cup/Plate/Colts Cup (U14-U18) Competition Rules and Requirements– 2023/2024)

In considering eligibility to enter in relation to Oakham RFC’s there is no reason to exclude them:
3) Membership and Eligibility of Clubs
a) The competition is open to any club in membership of the LRU and the Rugby Football Union.
b) It is the intention of the LRU to provide competitive rugby for as many players as possible”.

On the grounds of safeguarding, the power to exclude is one that can be exercised when a club breaches RFU Regulation 15, however the competition rules include the following: [4.f] “Where players have played a game of rugby on the previous day, a risk assessment should be undertaken by their club and parental consent should be obtained for their participation in an LRU Age Grade County Cup/Colts Cup/Plate game”.

On rule 2b the competition rules are implicit this is about the playing of the game: [2] “b) The LRU Age Grade Competition Secretary and the LRU Age Grade Chair have the power to exclude any club or team from the LRU County Age Grade Cup/Plate and Colts competitions organised by the LRU if that club or team has not complied with the Regulations of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) or has not played within the spirit and ethos of the Laws of the Game”.

The executive found no evidence that Oakham RFC had not complied with the Regulations of the RFU and as no games have been played no way to apply the spirit and ethos provision in relation to the Laws of the Game.

In conclusion there were no reason within the competition rules to exclude Oakham RFC U16s from the county cup and the Executive voted Oakham RFC U16s be included.

As the competition rules state the appeal is a decision of the Executive a vote on this recommendation is required: [2.d] “a further right of formal appeal against their rulings to the Executive Committee”. On this basis as the competition is run under the LRU there is no right of appeal by any party.

We have two exciting opportunities for coaches to join the Leicestershire and Rutland representative rugby programme.

We have vacancies for assistant coaches within the U18s girls programme and a head coach opportunity on the U17s/U18s boys programme.

More details can be found in the supporting documents below.

Closing date for applications is September 17th. 

For any questions about the roles and your personal development, please contact Director of Rugby. Marc Birr on dor@leicestershirerugbyunion.co.uk 

Application form

ASSISTANT COACH(ES) Girls U18s 202324

HEAD COACH 18s Boys 202324

Leicestershire and Rutland Rugby Union are seeking a positive and forward thinking individual for the role of Director of Rugby.

The post holder will be responsible for co-ordinating the delivery of representative rugby to players from ages 15+ from all clubs in the CB (Constituent Body) and both men and women. Programmes operate throughout the season for different age groups culminating in the end of season competitions for senior men and women. In previous years, Leicestershire has had great success with teams across all age groups and some spectacular finals played at Twickenham. In 2019, the men won Division 2 of the Bill Beaumont Cup and in 2021, the women won Division 1 of the Gill Burns Cup making them the top amateur county side in the country.

Leicestershire Rugby Union are looking for someone who can acknowledge the successes of the past and grow them into a positive experience for players and coaches whilst adapting to the ever changing rugby union landscape. The Director of Rugby will be at the forefront of creating and maintaining a sense of pride in putting on a county shirt by delivering a high standard of rugby across all ages and genders.

The post holder can expect to receive reasonable reimbursement for expenses and must be able to travel to different clubs around the county to promote the programmes and build relationships with clubs that support players with their development. 

Closing date for applications – August 13th at midnight

Applicants should complete the volunteer application form and send a covering letter detailing relevant qualifications and experience with the game delivery of rugby union. The job description can be downloaded from the link below and applicants should ensure their application is relevant to the job description.

Applications should be sent to hon-sec@leicestershirerugbyunion.co.uk 

Interviews will take place by arrangement in the weeks following the closing date with a view to appoint as soon as possible. Any questions regarding the role to be directed to Gail Bates, Hon Secretary by email above.

Director of Rugby

DoR Application Form