The NSW Waratahs have today announced Michael Ruthven as the new Head Coach of the NSW Waratah Women's side and the Director of Women's High Performance.
The two-year appointment follows an extensive search and consultation process with applications received from coaches within Australia and from around the world.
Ruthven was the clear and outstanding candidate from the long list of quality coaches who applied for the position bringing a wealth of experience to both roles. along with a strong track record of success in NSW club and representative rugby.
The Director of Women's High Performance will lead three core areas of the women’s rugby program:
• Head Coach of the Super W Program • Co-ordinator of NSW Women's Elite Sevens Program • Creation of NSW Women's Elite Training Program
Ruthven joins the Waratahs following three years as the Head Coach of the Warringah Rats in the Charter Hall Shute Shield.
He has been with Warringah for the previous five years in addition to being team manager of the NSW Country Eagles NRC team in 2019.
Ruthven says he welcomes the opportunity to lead the NSW side and oversee the women's High-Performance program.
“I am really excited and humbled to be given this opportunity and I’m looking forward to being a part of an exciting time for the women's game,” Ruthven said.
“We are seeing more young women progress through our pathways and I am thrilled to not only help build a team of exceptional rugby players but also well-rounded individuals.
“We have a vision to be once again the best rugby team in this competition and I’m excited to meet the players and get into our work as soon as possible.
“I want our players to utilise their love of the game, work hard in the off-season and bring back that winning culture at the Waratahs.”
The NSW Waratahs Women's Captain Piper Duck says she is excited to welcome Ruthven to the club.
“I'm extremely excited to have Michael join us here at the Waratahs, he has a deep knowledge of the game and I'm sure his experience in coaching at a high level will have an immediate impact on the squad,” Piper said.
"I can't wait for pre-season and to start our road to redemption.”
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn, says it’s important to have a coach who brings the experience drawn from his roles in the NRC and from Sydney’s Shute Shield to directing our state's high-performance athletes.
“Ruthven has all the experience that comes from learning the art of coaching over many years and in many different facets of the sport,” Doorn said.
“Michael will play a central role in enhancing female rugby pathways in New South Wales and I have full faith in him identifying and nurturing talent across all aspects of women's rugby in the state.
“The Waratahs represent all of NSW. The players who come through our pathways know they can graduate from either Sydney Women’s Rugby, the NSW Corellas, and 7’s rugby to the professional game and now we have a coach and high-performance director who not only understands that system but who comes from that system too.
“He’s passionate about bringing that all together and uniting everyone behind the women's team and I’m confident we have someone who can lead and direct the future of women's rugby here in NSW to produce the best players in the country,” Doorn said.
Ruthven starts in his new role this week.
Warringah Rats, 2020 - Present - Head Coach
NSW Country Eagles (NRC), 2019 - Team Manager
Warringah Rats, 2018-2019 - Assistant Coach
Sydney Rays URC Under 19's, 2018, - Assistant Coach
