NOEL MCNAMARA WILL enhance his coaching credentials during a three-month professional development placement with New Zealand’s North Harbour in a move facilitated by the IRFU.
The Ireland U20 head coach will work with the Mitre 10 Cup side as they begin their campaign against Northland this Thursday, following the success of similar placements involving Jared Payne, Ronan O’Gara, Girvan Dempsey and Felix Jones.
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McNamara will work under North Habour head coach Tom Coventry — who is set to become the next Blues forwards coach — during his time in Auckland, before returning to Ireland where he will continue his role as national U20 head coach and coach of Leinster’s development squad.
Having taken charge of Ireland U20s before last year’s Six Nations campaign, McNamara’s reputation has soared through his work with Leinster’s underage sides, and the experience in New Zealand will prove invaluable for his continued development.
Commenting on McNamara’s placement with North Harbour, IRFU performance director David Nucifora said: “The aim of the programme is to expose our best up-and-coming Irish coaches to other rugby models and to take them out of their comfort zone of coaching within the Irish system.
“In Noel’s case the experience he will gain from coaching in such a competitive tournament is invaluable, especially considering the calibre of those in the North Harbour coaching group led by Tom, who has Super Rugby coaching experience with the Chiefs and is due to link up with the Blues in the new year.”
Under Coventry’s tutelage, North Harbour reached the Mitre 10 Cup semi-finals last season.
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Ireland U20 coach McNamara heads to New Zealand on three-month placement
NOEL MCNAMARA WILL enhance his coaching credentials during a three-month professional development placement with New Zealand’s North Harbour in a move facilitated by the IRFU.
The Ireland U20 head coach will work with the Mitre 10 Cup side as they begin their campaign against Northland this Thursday, following the success of similar placements involving Jared Payne, Ronan O’Gara, Girvan Dempsey and Felix Jones.
McNamara will work under North Habour head coach Tom Coventry — who is set to become the next Blues forwards coach — during his time in Auckland, before returning to Ireland where he will continue his role as national U20 head coach and coach of Leinster’s development squad.
Having taken charge of Ireland U20s before last year’s Six Nations campaign, McNamara’s reputation has soared through his work with Leinster’s underage sides, and the experience in New Zealand will prove invaluable for his continued development.
Commenting on McNamara’s placement with North Harbour, IRFU performance director David Nucifora said: “The aim of the programme is to expose our best up-and-coming Irish coaches to other rugby models and to take them out of their comfort zone of coaching within the Irish system.
“In Noel’s case the experience he will gain from coaching in such a competitive tournament is invaluable, especially considering the calibre of those in the North Harbour coaching group led by Tom, who has Super Rugby coaching experience with the Chiefs and is due to link up with the Blues in the new year.”
Under Coventry’s tutelage, North Harbour reached the Mitre 10 Cup semi-finals last season.
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IRFU Noel McNamara Ireland U20s work placement