WRU APPOINT NATIONAL FITNESS DIRECTOR

The role undertaken over the past three years by Andrew Hore, the WRU’s current National Conditioning Coach will be split into two with a National Conditioning Coach to join Wiltshire in the WRU’s High Performance Department. That post will be advertised on the WRU’s website this week (www.wru.co.uk).

Wiltshire is currently Senior Lecturer in Sports Science at UWIC and this academic background in Elite Athlete Development is seen as a key factor in his appointment, along with his first hand experience of conditioning coaching within Wales – he is currently fitness coach for the Wales under 19 side.

WRU High Performance Manager Mostyn Richards said, “This is an extremely important appointment for the WRU because the role of National Fitness Director will affect all areas of the game from the Community Game to the High Performance development structure and the National Team.

“Huw will now be instrumental in the forthcoming appointment of a National Conditioning Coach who will have the responsibility for the fitness of the National Squad players. Huw will not have day-to-day involvement with the conditioning of the National Team.”

Current National Conditioning Coach Andrew Hore said, “I am thrilled the WRU has recognised the importance of improving the physical fitness of all of its players and taken this significant step to deliver athlete development right through from grassroots to the age groups and the National Team.

“As National Fitness Director, Huw will look at the big picture of fitness – from the moment a child first puts on a pair of rugby boots to the time a coach or referee retires from the game. It is imperative that there is an effective progression from grassroots level through to the High Performance game and Huw will be increasing the work we do in building stronger links with the Welsh Assembly Government and other important bodies in order to develop athletes for the National Conditioning Coach to work with.  

“Another important element of the role is coach development from a conditioning perspective and also ensuring that administrators throughout the game consider the importance of physical fitness and conditioning within the framework of the game.

“I know this move will prove beneficial to Welsh rugby and to the National Team and I look forward to a World Cup final in the very near future between Wales and New Zealand.”

Huw Wiltshire commented, “I see the role of National Fitness Director as an extremely challenging role due to the diversity of the job remit but it is as a unique opportunity to further develop the rugby union fitness culture in Wales.”