It is with regret we inform SUFC that after 6 years as Executive General Manager, David Haigh will be moving on from the Club as he takes up an exciting opportunity overseas. Dave will be heading to California to head up the San Diego Legion, one of the foundation teams in America’s Major League Rugby.
Dave has been involved with the Students since 2002 when he joined as a player while studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Sydney University. He has 103 SUFC games to his name and numerous premierships, including the Shute Shield win in 2006.
Following a two-year period playing rugby professionally in Japan, Dave returned to Sydney and SUFC in 2012 as an assistant coach for 1st Colts, at the end of the season he assumed the full-time Director of Colts role. In 2015, Dave was promoted to Director of Rugby whilst continuing to coach the 1st Colts team to premiership success. At the completion of the season Dave was appointed as Executive General Manager of the Club, where he has been ever since.
During his time as SUFC’s Executive General Manager, Dave has taken the Club to new levels of professionalism. Some pivotal moments include, the merger of the Men’s and Women’s Clubs, employing the country’s first Director of Women’s rugby, reenergising the annual Finals Lunch and claiming a 16th consecutive Club Championship title.
Dave had this to say “Sydney Uni Rugby is globally renowned for its rugby development program, unrivalled past-player network and commitment to well-rounded excellence. Over my 19 years at the Club, and more so in the past 6 years in my current role, it has become clear to me it is the quality of the people who make up our community that sets us apart and drives this success. I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you in our community who contribute to the fabric of the Club.
I have been privileged to play a part in the achievements of the Club over my time and will now take my place in the ranks of those around the world who support their ‘club for life’ from afar. I look forward to joining you in toasting the Students’ success in the stands at Sydney Uni in the future.”
SUFC President, David Lyons also commented on the news “On behalf of SUFC, I would like to thank Dave for his efforts and acknowledge all of the late nights and Saturdays that he has sacrificed to help this club and our community since coming onboard full time in 2012.
I personally would like to thank him for his support, professionalism and strength of character in my time as President, he has represented the Club and himself with pride at all times and he will leave a great legacy.
We wish Dave, his wife Kate and their three children all the very best on this exciting new adventure.”At SUFC, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible opportunities for not only our players but our staff as well, so it is great to see Dave take the next step in his career, and we have no doubt he will be an asset to the San Diego Legion and excel in the MLR competition.
David’s last day with SUFC is Friday 10 September. The Club are in the final stages of a rigorous recruitment process to fill the role of Executive General Manager for the 2022 season and beyond.
