England Rugby
Chair of the Community Game Board
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Chair of the Community Game Board
£25k, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham/remote, 2 days per week
The Organisation
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England. Its purpose is to encourage rugby, and its values, to flourish across England. In doing so, they aim to enrich lives, introduce more people to Rugby Union, and to develop the sport for future generations.
The RFU is a members’ organisation of over 1700 professional and amateur rugby clubs, referee societies and Constituent Bodies (geographic or national unions of clubs) and a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act, reinvesting all profits back into the sport.
Responsibility for decision-making within the RFU is divided between the members (largely member clubs), the Council and the Board of Directors, with the Board delegating day to day management to the executive staff.
The Opportunity
The RFU is seeking an outstanding Chair to lead its Community Game Board (CGB), a senior role within England Rugby that also carries full voting membership of the RFU Board of Directors and membership of the RFU Council.
Reporting to the RFU Board of Directors, the CGB oversees the implementation of the RFU’s strategy for community rugby in England. It allocates resources, develops and oversees plans and policies, monitors performance and risk, and ensures that the voice and needs of the community game are reflected in decision-making.
The incoming Chair will provide authoritative, inclusive and independent leadership to the CGB, building alignment across a broad and diverse stakeholder landscape. They will act as an ambassador for the Union, uphold the highest standards of integrity and governance, and help ensure that community rugby continues to grow and thrive for future generations.
The Role
The Chair will lead the work of the Community Game Board and be accountable for its effectiveness in accordance with its Terms of Reference. As a member of the RFU Board of Directors, they will also share responsibility for the affairs of the Union in line with the Board Procedures and RFU Rules and Regulations.
The Chair will also be a member of the RFU Council which is responsible for determining policies and regulations, making appointments and fulfilling any other responsibilities as set out in the RFU Rules.
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Key responsibilities will include:
- Chairing the CGB effectively, setting a clear agenda, enabling constructive debate and building consensus across varied perspectives.
- Translating the RFU’s strategic objectives into actionable plans for the community game, including player growth and retention, competitions, alternative formats, safeguarding and welfare, and enabling technology.
- Overseeing the effective allocation of delegated funding and resources to community rugby priorities within approved budgets.
- Engaging openly with clubs, Constituent Bodies, the RFU Council, participants and other key stakeholders, ensuring that the voice of the community game informs the CGB’s work.
- Setting and monitoring appropriate performance measures for funded bodies and programmes, assessing impact and recommending improvements.
- Ensuring that material risks relating to the community game are identified, monitored, mitigated and escalated appropriately.
- Ensuring the CGB has the right mix of community rugby, financial, governance and broader experience to fulfil its responsibilities, with due regard to inclusion and diversity.
- Reporting clearly to the RFU Board of Directors and the RFU Council on strategy implementation, resource allocation, performance and priorities.
- Contributing actively and independently as a full voting member of the RFU Board of Directors, providing strategic advice, constructive challenge and support to the executive team.
- Safeguarding the RFU’s values and acting as a visible, credible ambassador for community rugby and the wider Union.
The Person
The successful candidate will bring a strong knowledge of, and passion for, the community game in England, together with the leadership, judgment and personal credibility to represent its many different constituencies.
They will demonstrate:
- A detailed understanding and passion for the community rugby, its administration and the current and future needs of member clubs and participants.
- Proven chairing capability, including the ability to plan and lead meetings, manage debate, reconcile conflicting views and build consensus.
- Senior-level experience of strategy, governance and resource allocation, ideally including responsibility for a significant budget and delivery against clear objectives.
- An understanding of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of a non-executive director.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to address large and varied audiences.
- A collaborative and measured style, combined with independence of mind, sound judgment, fairness and political astuteness.
- The ability to motivate and engage people with widely differing backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
- A strong commitment to promoting and embedding diversity and inclusion at all levels of the game.
- Integrity, trustworthiness and a clear personal alignment with the RFU’s values.
- The capacity and willingness to devote the time required to chair the CGB effectively and fulfil the responsibilities of an RFU Board Director.
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Additional Information
- The CGB will meet at least five times each year, with additional meetings scheduled as required.
- The Chair will also serve as an ex officio, full voting member of the RFU Board of Directors, which will meet at least five times each year, with additional meetings scheduled as and when required.
- The appointment is made by the RFU Board of Directors and is subject to ratification by the RFU Council and RFU members in accordance with the RFU Rules.
- The role requires regular engagement with the CGB, the RFU Board, the RFU Council, senior executives and stakeholders across the community game, with demands of the role fluctuating across the rugby season.
- The RFU is committed to embedding diversity and inclusion in its recruitment and appointment procedures and operates a policy of equal opportunity.
- 2 days a week commitment required.
Application Process
Expressions of interest, together with an up-to-date CV, should be sent to Korn Ferry at rfu@kornferry.com
Closing date for applications is 18 September 2026.
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