adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
TWO years after parting ways with Zilwele Khumalo, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union are back in the hunt for a new development manager with interviews for a substantive replacement expected to start in few weeks time.Khumalo resigned from the ZRU a year after taking up the development post having moved from Botswana where he was holding a similar position with the Botswana Rugby Union.
Khumalo, however, said he was forced to resign from ZRU after he wanted to be with his family.
“My wife couldn’t get a job in Zimbabwe. It was major cost for me to travel to Botswana to see them”. But after facing financial constrains over the last few years and realising that they could not grow the game as much as they wanted, the ZRU recently advertised for the development manager’s post. According to the ZRU advert, the ideal candidate should hold at least a World Rugby Level II coaching certificate (or similar) and preference will be given to those with their own vehicle and hold an educator’s licence. “The Zimbabwe Rugby Union seeks to appoint a highly motivated, goal-driven and energetic national rugby development manager whose job purpose is to develop and implement programs that maximise participation of players, coaches and referees at all levels of the game in the country,” read part of the statement.
Some of the roles and responsibilities outlined by the ZRU for the successful candidate show that the development manager will be in charge of implementing plans that focus on mass recruitment, retention and development of rugby players. The advert stated the responsibilities of the development manager as follows:
“Manage and oversee the Get into Rugby, Community and Rural Development programmes that are currently running in the country including the talent identification Community Cup that is being sponsored by Old Mutual.
“The manager will also Develop and deliver player development pathways and skills frameworks at every level of the game in primary schools, secondary schools and clubs, develop and sustain recruitment and education strategies for Coaches and Match Officials in the country and provide leadership for all staff within the development team,” read the advert.
Director of rugby Brighton Chivandire yesterday professed ignorance on when they will officially appoint the new manager.
Online Reporter