GRFU welcomes Alun Harries as our new part-time Technical Director. Alun will be responsible for strategically developing and operationally delivering the National Performance Programme for Men’s, Women’s, and Academy rugby. He will have overarching management of all National Coaches from both National and Select teams. Additionally, he will be responsible for delivering the “Gibraltar Way”. A new approach to coaching and delivering rugby in Gibraltar, from the age of 6 through to adulthood.
Alun is well known to Gibraltar Rugby. He was originally part of the Penguins RFC, involved in delivering World Rugby qualifications, and has been qualifying Gibraltar Rugby coaches for the past eight years. Alun has over 15 years of experience as a Coach Educator with the WRU, and he has coached a number of Welsh Premiership teams, as well as the Wales Women’s National side during his coaching career. As a player, Alun represented Wales U21s and Wales A, with two appearances for the famous Barbarians team.
Alun had this to say:
Having worked with Gibraltar Rugby over the last 8-9 years on their Coach Education Programme, it’s a privilege to be asked to take on the role of Technical Director and become more involved with the development of rugby on The Rock across all sections.
From my experience over the last 8-9 years there is evidently a huge amount of enthusiasm and desire for the game to flourish in Gibraltar and for National team to consistently have regular fixtures. There are many challenges but there are more opportunities and I’m excited about working with the governing body, national team management and age grade coaches to help rugby thrive and be a social norm in Gib.
Alun is fulfilling the part-time role with the Union from overseas and although it’s predominantly strategic in focus, he will be in Gibraltar in early October to spend time with our Junior and Youth coaches, delivering a World Rugby tackle and contact readiness course.
Though not a stranger to us, we would like to officially welcome Alun to Gibraltar Rugby in his new capacity.
Press Release Tuesday 24 September 2024.
