SUFC are delighted to appoint, Claudia Bell as the Club’s new Director of Women’s Rugby and Junior Development.
Claudia is no stranger to SUFC, having joined the Club as a player in 2014 where she has experienced winning Championships trophies in both forms of the game and represented both her State in National 7s and her Country at the 2018 World University Rugby Championships in Namibia.
Claudia is now paving the way for the female game off the field, having joined NSWRU as a Development Officer in 2019, where she has been instrumental in building competitions, training coaches and match officials – all with the objective of increasing women and girls participation across the State, in her first 12 months in the role, Claudia had played a huge part in increasing the number of teams in the metro based girls 7s competition, with team numbers rising from 23 to 75. Claudia’s significant contributions to the advancement of women and girls sport in 2019 earnt her the title of Young Achiever of the Year in the Her Sport Her Way awards.
Claudia has a Bachelor of Sports Management and Exercise degree from UTS, as well achieving a Level Two Coaching Accreditation, Level One Match Official accreditation and becoming a World Rugby Trainer.
SUFC’s Executive General Manager Jack Farrer, had this to say on Claudia’s appointment,“Claudia’s strategic vision and detailed planning and programming will evolve SUFC’s Women’s XVs and 7s Rugby programs and pathways.
Claudia’s passion and enthusiasm for coaching in both the high performance and junior development landscape will provide opportunities for growth from primary schools to senior representative programs.
Claudia has excelled at NSWRU and we look forward to Claudia continuing her development as a professional coach at SUFC.”
Claudia expressed her excitement at the opportunity, “I started my journey at Sydney University as a player in 2014, and have witnessed from a first hand perspective the incredible and rapid growth that the program has overseen. I have always admired Sydney University Women’s high performance program, and the professionalism involved.
“I am excited to aid the growth of the junior program for boys and girls, to provide depth, opportunity and elite pathways from the experiences gained from working at NSWRU.
“The opportunity to learn and accelerate my coaching and high performance development from 60+ years of professional experience among the coaching ranks at SUFC is a tantelising prospect and I look forward to starting.”
Claudia will commence in the role on Friday 21 January and will be responsible for expanding and managing the Women’s XV’s and 7s programs, as well as enhancing the SUFC junior rugby pathway and connection to the senior club. As well as working fulltime for SUFC, Claudia will continue to play for the Lionesses in both the XVs and 7s format of the game. We will be announcing the coaching staff for the women’s program very shortly.