Ospreys Rugby are pleased to announce a new leadership structure, with Dan Griffiths appointed Head of Rugby and Richard Lancaster becoming Managing Director (Business).
Roger Blyth said: “Dan and Richard have both demonstrated the leadership, commitment and understanding of the Ospreys that we need as we enter an important period for the club. We felt strongly that they were the right people to promote from within, maintaining continuity and momentum while giving them the authority to lead the organisation forward.
“Their responsibilities are different but complementary. Richard will lead the business side of the organisation and Dan our rugby operations, but the success of each is intrinsically linked to the other. I am confident that together they will provide the direction and energy required for the next chapter of Ospreys Rugby.
“The move to St Helen’s represents a major opportunity. It gives us the chance to create a genuine home for the club, deepen our connection with our supporters and community, and build a stronger and more sustainable organisation.
“Alongside Alun Wyn and Rob, I am looking forward to supporting Richard, Dan and the wider team as we embark on what is a hugely exciting next chapter for the Ospreys.”
The appointments will see Lancaster and Griffiths lead the business and rugby operations of the Ospreys respectively, working together as the club enters an important new chapter and continues preparations for its move to a new permanent home at St Helen's.
They will be supported by the locally based members of the main Ospreys Board, Roger Blyth, Alun Wyn Jones and Rob Davies, who will provide strategic oversight, guidance and support to the executive leadership team.
Dan Griffiths steps into the role of Head of Rugby having spent 16 years with the Ospreys, building extensive experience across the club's rugby programmes and operations.
As Rugby General Manager, Griffiths has overseen the academy and senior environment, led on senior player recruitment and retention and has played an increasingly significant role in the strategic management of rugby at the Ospreys.
He will continue this work as Head of Rugby, supported by an experienced group of coaches and departmental leads to drive the rugby programmes from development to performance, whilst representing the Ospreys within the wider professional rugby landscape in Wales.
Commenting on his appointment, Dan Griffiths said:
"Having been part of the Ospreys for 16 years, I am incredibly proud to have the opportunity to further develop my role.
It’s an exciting new chapter for the Ospreys with the development of St Helens and one which staff and players are looking forward to being a part of.
"There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we feel we have a good balance to the squad with some young talent and quality recruitment complementing a core of players well established at the club. The group has strong connections to our local clubs and communities, the people we represent and we are working hard as a collective to give our supporters a team to be proud of.
Richard and I have a long history having worked together in various roles within the game and the region. We share the same ambition for where we want to take the Ospreys and I'm looking forward to working together with him, our staff, players and board to deliver it."
Richard Lancaster steps up from his role as Commercial Director to become Managing Director (Business), assuming responsibility for the leadership of the Ospreys' business operations.
Since joining the club, Lancaster has led the Ospreys' commercial strategy and has played a central role in the development of the club's relationship with Swansea Council and the plans for St Helen's.
His new role will see him lead the business as the Ospreys prepare for the opportunities and additional responsibilities that come with operating their own venue.
Lancaster will also represent the Ospreys at the Professional Rugby Board and in the club's relationships with the Welsh Rugby Union, United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby.
Richard Lancaster said: "It's a privilege to take on this responsibility at such an important point in the Ospreys' history.
"There has been an enormous amount of work taking place behind the scenes to put the foundations in place for the next phase of the club, particularly around our move to St Helen's. Having a home of our own creates opportunities commercially and operationally, but just as importantly it gives us the chance to bring the Ospreys closer to our supporters and our community.
"Dan and I have worked closely together for a number of years and there is a very clear alignment between what we want to achieve on and off the field. A successful rugby organisation needs both sides pulling in the same direction, and that's exactly what we intend to do.
"We have ambitious plans for the Ospreys and I'm excited about what we can build together."
The new leadership structure takes effect immediately.
Yr Ospreys yn Cyhoeddi Strwythur Arweinyddiaeth Newydd
Richard Lancaster yn dod yn Gyfarwyddwr Rheoli (Busnes) a Dan Griffiths yn Bennaeth Rygbi wrth i’r Ospreysgryfhau’r arweinyddiaeth ar gyfer pennod nesaf y clwb.
Mae Rygbi’r Ospreys yn falch o gyhoeddi strwythur arweinyddiaeth newydd, gyda Dan Griffiths yn cael ei benodi’n Bennaeth Rygbi a Richard Lancaster yn dod yn Gyfarwyddwr Rheoli (Busnes).
Dywedodd Cyfarddwyr yr Ospreys Roger Blyth:
"Mae Dan a Richard wedi dangos y math o arweinyddiaeth, ymrwymiad a dealltwriaetho’r Ospreys sydd ei angen arnom wrth i ni gamu i gyfnod pwysig i’r clwb. Roedden ni’n teimlo’n gryf mai nhw oedd y bobl iawn i’w dyrchafu o’r tu mewn, gan gynnal parhad a momentwm tra’n rhoi’r awdurdod iddyn nhwarwain y sefydliad yn ei flaen.
"Mae eu cyfrifoldebau’n wahanol ond yn cyd-fynd â’i gilydd. Bydd Richard yn arwain ochr fusnes y sefydliad a Dan ein gweithrediadau rygbi, ond mae llwyddiant y naill wedi’i glymu’n annatod wrth lwyddiant y llall. Rwy’n hyderus y byddan nhw, gyda’i gilydd, yn darparu’r cyfeiriad a’r egni sydd eu hangen ar gyfer pennod nesaf Rygbi’r Ospreys.
"Mae’r symud i Sain Helen yn gynrychioli cyfle mawr. Mae’n rhoi’r cyfle i ni greu cartref go iawn i’r clwb,dyfnhau ein cysylltiad â’n cefnogwyr a’n cymuned, ac adeiladu sefydliad cryfach a mwy cynaliadwy.
“Mae’r Bwrdd yn gefnogol iwan o Richard, Dan a gweddill y tîm wrth i ni gamui mewn i’r hyn sy’n bennod nesaf hynod gyffrous i’r Ospreys.”
Bydd y penodiadau hyn yn gweld Lancaster a Griffiths yn arwain gweithrediadau busnes a rygbi’r Ospreys yn eu tro, gan gydweithio wrth i’r clwb gamu i mewn i bennod bwysig newydd ac wrth barhau â’r paratoadau ar gyfer symud i gartref parhaol newydd yn Stadiwm Sain Helen.
Byddant yn cael cefnogaeth aelodau lleol prif Fwrdd yr Ospreys, sef Roger Blyth, a Alun Wyn Jones a fydd yn darparu goruchwyliaeth strategol, arweiniad a chefnogaeth i’r tîm arwain gweithredol.
Mae Dan Griffiths yn camu i rôl Pennaeth Rygbi wedi 16 mlynedd gyda’r Ospreys, cyfnod a welodd iddo adeiladu profiad helaeth ar draws holl raglenni a gweithrediadau rygbi’r clwb.
Fel Rheolwr Cyffredinol Rygbi, mae Griffiths wedi bod wrth y llyw o ran yr academi a’r garfan hŷn, wedi arwainar recriwtio a chadw chwaraewyr, ac wedi chwarae rhan gynyddol arwyddocaol yn rheolaeth strategol rygbi’r Ospreys.
Bydd yn parhau â’r gwaith hwnnw fel Pennaeth Rygbi, gyda chefnogaeth tîm profiadol o hyfforddwyr acarweinwyr adrannol i yrru’r rhaglenni rygbi o lefel datblygu hyd at lefel perfformiad, gan gynrychioli’r Ospreys hefyd o fewn tirlun ehangach rygbi proffesiynol Cymru.
Wrth ymateb i’w benodiad, dywedodd Dan Griffiths:
"Ar ôl bod yn rhan o’r Ospreys ers 16 mlynedd, rwy’nhynod falch o gael y cyfle i ddatblygu fy rôl ymhellach.
Mae’n gyfnod cyffrous i’r Ospreys gyda datblygiad Sain Helen, un mae’r staff a’r chwaraewyr yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr ato.’'
"Mae yna dipyn o waith o’n blaenau, ond rydyn ni’n teimlo bod gennym ni gydbwysedd da yn y garfan, gyda thalent ifanc a recriwtio o safon yn ategu craidd o chwaraewyr sydd wedi hen ymsefydlu yn y clwb. Mae gan y grŵp gysylltiadau cryf â’n clybiau a’n cymunedau lleol, y bobl rydyn ni’n eu cynrychioli, ac rydyn ni’n gweithio’n galed fel un tîm i roi tîm i’n cefnogwyr fod yn falch ohono.
“Mae gan Richard a minnau hanes hir o weithio gyda’n gilydd mewn amryw rolau o fewn y gêm a’r rhanbarth. Rydyn ni’n rhannu’r un uchelgais ynghylch i ble rydyn ni am fynd â’r Ospreys, ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at gydweithio ag ef, ein staff, ein chwaraewyr a’r bwrdd i’w gyflawni.”
Mae Richard Lancaster yn camu i fyny o’i rôl fel Cyfarwyddwr Masnachol i ddod yn Gyfarwyddwr Rheoli (Busnes), gan ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb dros arwain gweithrediadau busnes yr Ospreys.
Ers ymuno â’r clwb, mae Lancaster wedi arwain strategaeth fasnachol yr Ospreys ac wedi chwarae rhanganolog yn natblygiad perthynas y clwb â Chyngor Abertawe a’r cynlluniau ar gyfer Sain Helen.
Bydd ei rôl newydd yn ei weld yn arwain y busnes wrth i’r Ospreys baratoi ar gyfer y cyfleoedd a’r cyfrifoldebau ychwanegol sy’n dod law yn llaw â rhedeg eu lleoliad eu hunain.
Bydd Lancaster hefyd yn cynrychioli’r Ospreys ar y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol ac yn y berthynas rhwng y clwb ac Undeb Rygbi Cymru, Pencampwriaeth Rygbi’r Iwerydd a Rygbi Clybiau Proffesiynol Ewrop.
Dywedodd Richard Lancaster: "Mae’n fraint cymryd y cyfrifoldeb hwn ar adeg mor bwysig yn hanes yr Ospreys."
"Mae cryn dipyn o waith wedi bod yn digwydd y tu ôl i’r llenni i osod y sylfeini ar gyfer cyfnod nesaf y clwb, ynenwedig o ran y symud i Sain Helen. Mae cael cartref o’n heiddo ein hunain yn creu cyfleoedd yn fasnachol acyn weithredol, ond yn bwysicach byth mae’n rhoi cyfle i ni ddod â’r Ospreys yn agosach at ein cefnogwyr a’ncymuned.
"Mae Dan a minnau wedi gweithio’n agos gyda’n gilydd ers blynyddoedd lawer, ac mae yna gyd-ddealltwriaethglir iawn rhyngom ynghylch beth rydyn ni am ei gyflawni ar y cae ac oddi arno. Mae angen i’r ddwy ochr fod yntynnu i’r un cyfeiriad er mwyn i sefydliad rygbi lwyddo, a dyna’n union rydyn ni’n bwriadu ei wneud.
“Mae gennym ni gynlluniau uchelgeisiol ar gyfer yr Ospreys, ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at yr hyn allwn ni eiadeiladu gyda’n gilydd.”
