The rugby landscape continues to shift in favor of diversity and inclusivity, with the Gallagher High Performance Academy (GHPA) playing a pivotal role in advancing the careers of female coaches around the world. As the academy welcomes 11 new coaches for the 2024 WXV tournament, it marks yet another step towards gender equity in rugby, with significant progress already made since the program's inception in 2023.

Empowering Female Coaches in a High-Performance Environment

The GHPA, which has supported 26 female coaches since 2023, offers invaluable opportunities for its participants to work in high-performance settings, gaining first-hand experience with national teams. The focus is on developing existing talent, identifying new coaches, and providing professional support to foster the next generation of women in coaching and other leadership roles.

This year’s expansion includes the nomination of coaches from new markets like Madagascar and the Netherlands, reflecting the Academy’s growing global reach. The inclusion of these countries follows their successful participation in the WXV qualifiers, securing their places in the tournament. With the program now encompassing all formats of the women's game, the Academy's impact continues to grow, shaping the future of international rugby coaching.

The Journey of Success Stories

The progress of former participants is already evident. Since completing the WXV 2023 program, Larissa Muldoon has taken on dual roles as Ireland's Assistant Backs and Attacks Coach for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and Head Coach of Ireland U18s. Similarly, Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin, who has spoken extensively about balancing motherhood and coaching, has progressed to leading Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge and is now Wales’ U18s and U20s Defence Coach.

“These experiences have been transformative,” Nicholas-McLaughlin said, highlighting how the GHPA helped her grow not only as a coach but also as a role model for women balancing career and family. She hopes to inspire more mothers to pursue careers in coaching: “I can be a mother and a coach at the same time, and seeing the impact on players both on and off the field is why I coach.”

Other notable alumni include Emma DeLory, who joined Canada’s coaching staff for World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series after participating in the HSBC SVNS Series program, and Yuka Kanematsu, recently appointed as Head Coach of Japan Women’s Sevens. These advancements are a testament to the GHPA’s role in developing female coaches for the global stage.

WXV 2024: The New Cohort of Coaches

As the 2024 WXV season approaches, the Academy welcomes a fresh group of coaches representing diverse rugby nations. The lineup includes:

Australia: Gill Bourke
Canada: Carolyn McEwen
Fiji: Tavaita Rowati
Italy: Michela Merlo
Ireland: Maz Reilly
Japan: Yoko Suzuki
Madagascar: Dina Razafindratsara
Netherlands: Elke van der Meer
Samoa: Bella Milo
Scotland: Claire Cruikshank
Wales: Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin
These coaches will work closely with their national teams, gaining critical exposure to elite-level coaching environments as they prepare to take on future international roles.

A Vision for Gender Equity

World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox, emphasized the importance of this program in addressing the gender imbalance in rugby coaching: “We’re delighted to welcome these 11 coaches to the next edition of this vital program. The Gallagher High Performance Academy has been instrumental in advancing the careers of female coaches, and we are on track to meet our goal of having 40% female coaches at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering diversity in rugby.”

Gallagher Ambassador and SVNS 2024 participant Shannon Parry added, “The Academy is integral to the development of women’s rugby. It’s closing the gap between where women’s coaching is now and where it needs to be.”

Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond

The GHPA has an ambitious year ahead, with a range of workshops and support initiatives planned, featuring top-level professionals from World Rugby and Gallagher. These efforts will focus on enhancing the technical, leadership, and strategic capabilities of the participating coaches, setting the stage for a more inclusive and diverse future in rugby.

Gallagher, the Official Insurance Partner of Women’s Rugby, WXV 2024, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, remains committed to supporting this important initiative, as it continues to champion the next generation of female coaches in the global game.
[Submitted by Estea Rademeyer]