- Our customers have been hired by : *Foot Note
To find a new coaching job in rugby or to develop your sports career in any managerial role, you must take the time to write a first-class CV. Ideally, you’ll fully describe all of your aptitudes for coaching and abilities with rugby players and highlight certain areas of strength, such as midfield, defence, or scrummaging skills.
Our rugby coach CV sample is a valuable way to discover the best methods of displaying such information in a manner that shows you at your best. It will help you highlight the traits rugby professionals are looking for in coaches and assist you with formatting to make your CV easy to read.
Alongside implementing the following advice on completing each CV section, we suggest checking out our expert CV examples. You’ll find plenty more guidance on the kind of content to include and how to present it for maximum impact. Who said writing a rugby coach CV had to be a chore?
Ready to tackle your application? Keep reading as we explore:
SEARCH ALL CV EXAMPLES
Sample rugby coach CV
Anthony O’Brien 88 Boroughbridge Road Birmingham B2 8SP 07912345678 anthony.obrien@example.co.uk Professional summary Results-driven Coach dedicated to building focused, high-achieving teams through goal-oriented training and mentorship. Skilled at recruiting reliable staff and assistants for unified team culture and purpose-driven squad support. Proponent of detailed finance and resource management to maintain positive perception of program and expand competitive opportunities. Work history April 2020 – Current Anywhere RFC – Birmingham Lead Rugby Coach
- Adapted coaching and leadership styles to suit individual needs for maximised athlete engagement.
- Supported smooth running of events by arriving on-time and well-equipped.
- Collaborated with nutrition and physio teams to deliver holistic coaching and care.
January 2017 – March 2020 Elsewhere RFC – Colchester Forwards Rugby Coach
- Consistently applied effective, innovative coaching methods to meet and exceed team needs.
- Provided variety of sporting equipment to enable diverse training practices and maximise student potential.
- Demonstrated specific skills and techniques, providing time for controlled practice.
Skills
- Group facilitation
- Offensive and defensive strategy
- Game time management
- Sportsmanship promotion
- Tournament procedures
- Safety regulations
- Sports injuries training
- Human anatomy knowledge
Education 2017 Rugby Football Union Level 2 Coaching Certificate in Rugby League (L2CCRL) Level 4 qualified licensed coach 2016 Open University MSc in Sports Science
Choosing the right format for your rugby coach CV
Applying for your perfect job is so exciting you might be tempted to jump straight into your personal statement and work experience. Hold your horses – the first step towards success is choosing between popular CV formats. Presenting your information in an easy-to-read, logical structure is the key to the hiring manager’s heart. Even the grouchiest readers can’t resist clear headings, sections, and bullet point lists!
We recommend sticking to the most popular layouts – the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV. Both are widely accepted by recruiters and ATS-scanning software. The former outlines your career background, starting from your current or most recent role. The latter focuses on transferable skills, such as “leadership”, “teamwork”, and “communication”.
So, which is best for a rugby coach CV? Employers usually prioritise candidates with tangible experience, so we advise using the reverse-chronological structure. Here, you’ll spotlight your key strengths and underline what makes you the best candidate for the job.
You might get away with a skills-based CV if you’re applying for an entry-level position in a school or college. However, you’ll still need to demonstrate a prior background in sports training, whether through a full-time role or volunteering.
What else can make or break a CV? Here are some extra tips to keep in mind:
- Your CV should be one to two pages long maximum
- Type in a neat font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica
- Don’t make the text too small – 12 points is a good size
- Avoid images and unconventional colours – they look unprofessional
- Send your CV as a Word or PDF file unless asked otherwise
How to write a CV for a rugby coach
The following sections break down how to write a CV for a rugby coach step by step. Carefully read through the comprehensive guidance before completing each part, and take as much time as you need – you can always come back to it later if you get stuck. Let’s run through:
- How to add contact details to your rugby coach CV
- How to write a personal statement for your rugby coach CV
- Adding experience section to your rugby coach CV
- Skills worth having on your rugby coach CV
- How to add education to your rugby coach CV
How to add contact details to your rugby coach CV
It’s easy to forget to add your most up-to-date contact details at the top of your CV, so double-check your application before sending it across. Employers won’t waste time searching for you online, so skipping this step can scupper your chances of securing an interview spot. We advise highlighting your information in a slightly larger or bolder font for maximum legibility. Note the following:
- Full name – first name and surname
- Location – including county and postcode
- Phone number – preferably mobile
- Email address – keep it work-appropriate
Example of contact section for a rugby coach CV
Andrew Thomas
12 Any Road,
Anywhere Town,
Anywhere Country, AN19 3JN
07222 123456789,
andythomas_rugby@mailexample.co.uk
How to write a personal statement for your rugby coach CV
Making an outstanding first impression is as simple as nailing your personal statement. This punchy introductory paragraph comprises three to four short sentences summarising your most valuable experience, achievements, and skills. Basically, you want to hook the hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to learn more. We understand squeezing everything in can be challenging, so use the below formula to help.
Sentence one introduces who you are, including your job title and years of experience. Sentence two explains what you can achieve, backed up by a glorious statistic. The final sentences reiterate your unique skills and areas of expertise – highlight everything that makes you special and a better choice than the competition!
What do we mean by statistic? Employers prefer applicants who can substantiate their claims with concrete results. For example, you might have “won over 350 league cup games” or “secured £150,000 funding for the community rugby programme”. The more specific and numerical you can be, the more impressive you’ll sound.
Here are some other pointers to keep you on track:
- Write in the third person to sound more professional
- Don’t exceed the word count – 50 to 100 words is plenty
- Highlight your statement at the top of your CV
- Only include the most relevant information – stay concise
- Use the job advertisement to inform your work, but don’t copy
Example of personal statement for a rugby coach CV
A highly experienced rugby professional with a playing a coaching career that stretches back over many seasons. Possesses plenty of insight into rugby union and rugby league, as well as several years of dealing with school-age players, colts, and senior teams. Retains the necessary coaching qualifications to work with amateur and professional players.
OR
An enthusiastic and influential rugby coach with over five years of experience. Capable of mentoring younger players seeking a rugby career, often helping them develop from good club-side players into fully-fledged professionals. Enjoyed significant success in league and knock-out cup competitions.
Adding experience section to your rugby coach CV
Where do employers go when they open your rugby coach CV? Straight to the work history section! It’s one of the most fascinating parts of any application, revealing key insights about your strengths, accomplishments, and work ethic. If you want to secure a call back, we suggest spending several hours fleshing out the details and spotlighting your career highlights.
Jot down three to six responsibilities for each role, focusing on newer or more relevant positions. Cover the following:
- Job title
- Employment start and end dates
- Company name
- Company location
- Brief list of duties
- Workplace achievements
How do you stand out in this highly competitive field? Like the personal statement, we recommend leaning on facts and figures to give your CV oomph. Otherwise, you’re simply asking the hiring manager to just believe you, and why would they do that?
Let’s say you “turned around a club with a diminishing membership to one of the best supported in the county” – can you expand on this? Perhaps you “increased viewership by 87%” or “sold 750 game tickets weekly”. Quantifying your claims will give you the edge over other talented applicants.
On top of this, uplift the tone with plenty of positive adjectives and action verbs. The former speak to your personality – you might be “inspirational”, “energetic”, and “detail-oriented”. The latter are powerful alternatives to “responsible for” (it’s a pretty boring way to open a sentence). Some of our favourites for rugby coaches include “guided”, “fostered”, and “unified”.
Lastly, avoid repeating the same old phrases. If you’ve mentioned “creating training programmes” underneath one position, talk about “organising team-building activities” in another. Hitting as many different areas of expertise as possible will give the employer a well-rounded view of your abilities.
Example of work experience for a rugby coach CV
Head Coach | Anywhere RFC, Brighton | June 2020 – Present
- Testing, evaluating, and developing each player’s skills.
- Devising winning strategies and realistic goals.
- Innovating new training regimes.
- Earned two first-team promotions within four seasons.
- Turned around a club with a diminishing membership to one of the best supported in the county.
Forwards Coach | Elsewhere RFC, Colchester | August 2017 to March 2020
- Gained promotion from coach to working with the first XV forward pack, helping them develop over six seasons.
- Supported the head coach in everyday activities.
- Initiated a coaching programme for the newly formed women’s team to improve forward play and defensive strategies.
Skills worth having on your rugby coach CV
If employers are strapped for time, they’ll scan through your CV skills section to get an overview of your abilities and character. It’s a brilliant place to summarise your top talents and reiterate your suitability for the role. We advise noting up to 12 skills in total, split equally between hard skills and soft skills.
So, what’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and learnt on the job or via education, such as “creating strategic game plans”, “maintaining the best health and safety practices”, and “teaching sports techniques”. In contrast, soft skills are personality-based and much harder to pick up, therefore invaluable to employers – think “optimistic”, “organised”, and “dedicated”.
While it’s tempting to overload your rugby coach CV with job-specific know-how, don’t forget to shout about your shining qualities. Ultimately, employers typically prefer personality and passion over decades and decades of experience. Stuck for ideas? Browse through the following lists:
Essential skills for a rugby coach
- Able to build a strong squad based on mutual respect and support
- Proven track record gaining success from lineouts and scrummages
- Capable of working with other coaches in fitness and tackling
- Exceptional team player with outstanding communication skills
- Assured in leading and motivating a diverse team of players
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Safeguarding and Protecting Children course completed
- Level 2 Award in Leadership through Rugby Union
- Full UK driving licence
- Up-to-date Criminal Record Bureau checks
- Confident liaising with players and board members
How to add education to your rugby coach CV
Education is the foundation of experience, helping you stand out when you’re up against equally skilled candidates. You can talk about school, college, and university courses, extracurricular training, and memberships to governing bodies.
Our top tips? Only include the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you’ve completed a master’s degree, there’s no need to rehash GCSEs. Similarly, don’t include lacklustre grades – they won’t impress hiring managers. While the education section comes towards the end of your CV, you might want to underline core qualifications near the top to reassure employers you can hit the ground running.
You don’t necessarily need to go to university to secure a rugby coach position, although it boosts your chances. Colleges offer a “Level 2 Diploma in Sport” and “Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching” – or search for work-based qualifications like the “Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Sports Development”. Prefer to learn on the job? There are countless apprenticeships run by schools, charities, and sporting organisations.
When outlining your education, cover the following:
- Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
- Study start and end dates
- Subject title
- Qualification level – e.g. GCSE or NVQ
- Qualification result
Example of education for a rugby coach CV
Rugby Football Union | April 2023
Level 2 Coaching Certificate in Rugby League (L2CCRL)
Level 4 qualified licensed coach
Open University | September 2020 – September 2022
MSc in Sports Science: Distinction
Brighton University | September 2017 – September 2020
BSc Sport and Exercise Science: Upper Second-Class Honours
East Sussex College | September 2015 – September 2017
3 A levels: English (C), Maths (D), and Psychology (D)
East Sussex High School | September 2010 – September 2015
9 GCSEs at grades A to C
Dos and don’t for your rugby coach CV
Do
DO spotlight your soft skills
Employers always prioritise inspirational speakers and enthusiastic cheerleaders over grumpy coaches with decades of experience. As such, it pays to highlight your personality-based soft skills. Our best advice is to use unique adjectives to describe yourself – ask friends and family to chip in if you get stuck.
DO mention non-traditional employment
If you’re applying for your first coaching position, you can discuss non-traditional employment to flesh out your CV. You might have volunteered at a school, local sports club, or summer camp. Perhaps you were a substitute when the head coach was away? Mention anything relevant, and don’t feel limited by a lack of full-time experience.
Don’t
DON’T forget your cover letter
A cover letter is a short one-page document introducing who you are, expressing interest in the position, and summarising your most desirable qualities. Not only is it an excellent way to break the ice, but there’s plenty of space for additional information, such as your notice period and career ambitions.
DON’T send your CV without spell-checking
Spelling mistakes are easy to avoid – simply use an online spell-checker to finesse your work before sending it across. Plus, give yourself a break. Once you’ve completed your CV, give it a few days and return to it with fresh eyes. You’ll find it easier to pick out repetitiveness and awkward phrasing.
Your rugby coach CV questions answered
What are the main responsibilities of a rugby coach?
Rugby coaches are multi-talented. On the one hand, they must lead their team to success with strategic game plans, technique workshops, and fitness tests. On the other, they must offer plenty of encouragement and inspiration to keep spirits high. While every day looks different, some of the main duties include:
- Planning and delivering engaging rugby sessions
- Promoting good sportsmanship and respectful play
- Liaising with players and board members
- Listening and implementing member feedback
- Assisting with marketing efforts
What skills are required to be a rugby coach?
Above all else, coaches must have exceptional people skills and a positive attitude, especially when working with children. Hiring managers look for natural leaders who can lift the team’s spirits and inspire them to greatness. The most successful rugby coaches are:
- Motivational
- Emotionally intelligent
- Good-humoured
- Disciplined
- Patient
How do I become a good rugby coach?
Want to become the best rugby coach possible? Simply invest in some additional training to enhance your skills and job prospects. You can find plenty of courses through England Rugby or your local college.
How much does a rugby coach earn?
It’s difficult to say how much rugby coaches earn because it depends on multiple factors, including location, experience, and hours. However, the average salary in the UK is around £29,250 per year. However, this can rise beyond £40,000 for coaches of professional teams.
Beat the competition with an awesome rugby coach CV
This rugby coach CV sample is just one of the numerous examples on our site. Each affords valuable insights into the preferred methods of creating a CV for specific career paths.
For further advice, you can also use the tools and CV builder. Our expert CV examples and pre-made CV templates remove the stress from CV writing, so you can focus on wowing the hiring manager!
*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.