Tandy takes new Development role

The Ospreys today confirmed that Steve Tandy has been appointed to the post of Age Grade Development Manager.

 

The Ospreys centurion moves into his new role after five months in the post of Bridgend District Development Officer, replacing Ioan Cunningham who has left the region. Tandy will continue as Head Coach of Bridgend RFC, combining the two roles, while Ospreys bosses are currently recruiting a new Development Officer for the District.

Working under the watchful eye of Regional Performance Development Manager, Andrew Millward, Tandy assumes responsibility for the hands-on development of strategic direction for the Ospreys age-grade rugby teams, helping to ensure effective delivery of the respective programmes.

In addition, he will work with C Group coaches and players to assist with the delivery of technical and tactical development, as well as implementation of OURS rugby system into the three colleges that come under the Ospreys wings as part of the new Colleges initiative (Bridgend, Gower College Swansea and Neath Port Talbot). Tandy will also be responsible for developing and delivering a revamped annual programme of holiday activities for young rugby players in Ospreylia, helping to create a wider pool of playing talent within the region.

Speaking about his new role, Tandy said:

“While disappointed about no longer operating as DDO for Bridgend, I’m looking forward to this new role which I see as a fantastic opportunity to have a bigger input into the development of young talent in the region.

“Since I took my first steps into rugby coaching and administration within the age-grade set-up a few seasons ago, the Ospreys have shown real faith in me and I’m keen to make sure I repay that faith. It’s still something of a steep learning curve for me, but with the support and the structures that are in place at the Ospreys, I’m confident that this move will be a positive one for me personally and for the organisation.”

Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:

“Over the last couple of seasons we’ve seen Steve display a real desire and ability to assist in the development of local playing talent, and as such, he is the ideal person to slot into this role. This commitment to development is mirrored by the Ospreys as a business, it is at the very heart of everything we do and isn’t just limited to the development of playing talent but to the development of coaches and administrators also.

“By creating an environment where true Ospreylians like Steve can thrive once their top level playing days comes to an end is clear evidence that the development from

within policy is not just words, it’s working in practice.”