Appointment of Operations Manager
The Queanbeyan Whites Rugby Club would like to announce that we have taken the step of appointing a full-time Operations Manager. The club undertook a process to develop a Strategic Plan 2022-2024 in 2021 under previous President Mick Pini, which identified the need for this position and the committee supported appointing an individual to this role as a priority for this year.
In March of this year, we took expressions of interest from individuals for the position and an interview panel of President Grant Jones, Vice President Mick Douros and club Life Member Ray Watson was established. From this interview process, the panel then took a recommendation to the committee for endorsement.
It is with great excitement that we announce that former Whites 1st grade premiership player Robbie Coleman has accepted the position and will be starting a 2-year appointment on Monday the 4th of July.
Robbie’s career as a professional rugby player has taken him all over the world, including winning a silver medal with the Australian 7’s team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, over 50 caps locally with the Brumbies, stints at both the Western Force and in France, before most recently spending the last couple of seasons playing in the new MLR competition with NOLA Gold.
Robbie impressed the selection panel with his excitement on taking on the role and the varied and vast experiences he has had with both professional and amateur rugby clubs and the ideas he has around helping to further develop our club, both within the rugby program and off the field. Robbie had the opportunity to continue his professional playing career in the US but was excited by the opportunity that this role presented to take the next step in his life, as well as the chance to move home with his young family.
President Grant Jones commented, ‘This is a huge step forward for our club in helping to realise the potential we have. Through the hard work of successive committees and the considerable and ongoing support of our fantastic sponsors, we are now in a position to make this appointment which will allow us to work towards improving our rugby program and deliver the ideas set out in our strategic plan. Without this appointment, the ever-increasing mountain of work that goes into running our great club would be left to our very dedicated, but few volunteers, which is not sustainable.’
Robbie’s role will involve the day to day running of our club, including the rugby program, working closely with our head coach on delivering that program and assisting in appointing a new head coach will be one of the first tasks that Robbie undertakes, with current Head Coach Sam French making it clear that 2022 will be his last in the role.
Robbie will also look to establish close links with our wonderful sponsors, local schools, the Brumbies and other stakeholders and the role will include playing a part in our junior club and ensuring that they are assisted in a way to help them continue to improve and grow.
The Queanbeyan Whites are looking forward to welcoming Robbie, his wife Ellen and their young daughter back to Queanbeyan following him completing his commitments in New Orleans.
