Game & Independent Regional Growth Partnership Board Members

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for Rugby Union in England, responsible for promoting, developing, and safeguarding the game at all levels. Over the past two years, the RFU has undertaken an extensive review of how community rugby is structured and delivered, with a clear vision: to enable more people to play rugby, and for longer.

As part of this transformation, the RFU is seeking to appoint Game & Independent Board Members to seven Regional Growth Partnership Boards across England. The Regional Growth Partnership

Boards are tasked with:

1. Taking Rugby Union to new people and new places
2. Opening new doors and getting rugby on to the agenda of more people and organisations who can support growth
3. Securing incremental revenue into Rugby Union to help grow the game
4. Strengthening relationships and increasing collaboration and cooperation between partners inside and outside rugby

Game Representative Board Members

Game Representative Board Members will bring the voice of the game to the Board, helping shape strategy and investment decisions that support sustainable growth for players, clubs and communities.

Game roles are open to any individual with an active/recent player or administration role in the community or professional game who bring experience of growing something at scale larger than an individual club.

The primary contributions of Game Representative Board Members will be:

• Deep rugby insight, credibility and experience – ensuring decisions are informed by proven experience of growing participation and delivering successful rugby programmes at scale.
• Connectivity across the rugby ecosystem – building strong relationships across clubs, CBs and stakeholders, while championing rugby values and culture within the region.
• Creative problem solving rooted in game insight – using deep knowledge of the game to challenge thinking and develop practical solutions to participation and delivery challenges.

Independent Board Members

Independent Board Members will bring external expertise, perspective and constructive challenge, helping the Board make informed decisions, drive sustainable growth and maximise regional impact.

Independent in this context means an individual who does not currently hold a position of responsibility within rugby above community club level.

The primary contributions of Independent Board Members will be:

• External expertise that could be applicable for supporting rugby growth –applying experience from outside rugby to drive innovation and growth.
• Extending the Board’s reach and impact – using networks and influence to build partnerships, unlock opportunities and broaden rugby’s reach.
• Objective challenge and governance rigour – providing independent perspective to strengthen strategy, decision-making and accountability.

All Roles

Location: Regional (please refer to the candidate information pack for a breakdown of the regional areas)

Reports to: Chair of Regional Growth Partnership Board

Term: 3 years (to be confirmed on appointment)

Fees: Voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Commitment: 12 days per year (6 Board meetings per year, plus additional 6 days of engagement).

For more information, key responsibilities and person specification; please take a look at the candidate information pack.

To formally apply for the role please supply the following:

• An up-to-date CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements and preferred contact details.
• A brief letter outlining your motivation and suitability in line with the skillsets sought by The RFU.

Send to info@kinseysears.com with the email subject detailing which role and which Regional Board you are submitting an application for: e.g. Game Rep Board Member – South West RGPB OR Independent Board Member – East Midlands RGPB

Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. Please get in touch to register your interest or submit your candidacy as soon as possible.