New North Walsham Rugby Club director to drive forward UEA Rugby partnership
By: Communications
New Director of Rugby for North Walsham Rugby Club (NWRFC), Niall Lear, will lead the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) Men’s and Women’s rugby programme.
In his new appointment as Director of Rugby for NWRFC, who compete in the fourth tier of English Rugby (RFU National Division Two East), Niall will drive the strategic partnership forward between the club and UEA.
As part of this collaboration, he will be the University’s Men’s and Women’s rugby programme lead, a newly created joint post that follows the success of the previous two years of the partnership.
Niall Lear said: “The partnership between the UEA and North Walsham Rugby Club has grown from strength to strength and it’s an exciting time to head up the coaching for both teams. My coaching ethos is based around improving individual’s skills at whatever level and at the same time developing a team culture. I thrive on seeing players and coaches develop and enjoying their shared experiences. Training sessions should be the best part of people's week.”
Phil Steele, Director of Sport & Commercial Services at UEA, said: “Our alliance with NWRFC is a critical mutual relationship that is integral to realising both the club’s playing ambitions and UEA+Sport’s performance objectives. The ability to recruit talented rugby students to UEA, that can also form the future talent for NWRFC means we can develop long-term talent pathways to support the ongoing development of elite rugby in the region.
“Supporting the recruitment of Niall will help develop this pathway and we’re excited to be working alongside him. Our thanks to the club and their sponsors and we look forward to developing these plans together.”
The NWRFC/UEA partnership has seen a range of sporting benefits, including improved performances and results from both Men’s and Women’s rugby programmes, the expansion of the UEA 7s programme and high-level playing opportunities for UEA students. In recent years, the University has seen students selected to represent English Universities squads, in addition to a number of UEA students turning out for NWRFC, since the partnership’s inception, in the fourth tier of English domestic rugby (National 2 East).
Off the pitch success includes mental health charity fundraising via the ‘Give a Ruck’ initiative, physiotherapy and performance analysis roles for current students and alumni, as well as employability success with students being placed in graduate roles through the NWRFC sponsorship network.
Niall Lear has extensive coaching experience in the UK and internationally, with wide-ranging links in the game. He has played for Scotland at U18 level, previously directed the Abu Dhabi Harlequins programme, has extensive experience leading semi-professional clubs, and continues to coach on the International Invitational 7s circuit.
Seb Anthony, North Walsham Director of Rugby Operations, who led the recruitment process commented: “Niall was an outstanding candidate in a strong worldwide field of over 30 applicants. He has a huge amount of experience coaching in different environments and is committed to an ethos of continuous improvement.
“A key element that attracted us was his coaching philosophy, which recognises that people will perform at their best when they feel comfortable. He has the ability to recognise people’s strengths, to get the best out of them, and make everyone feel part of the team. Niall is a truly inspirational sports leader whom we are extremely pleased to have appointed and we look forward to welcoming him, his wife, and his young family to Scottow Park.”
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