Connacht Rugby appoints new player development manager
Connacht Rugby in conjunction with Rugby Players Ireland (RPI) has announced the appointment of Ronan Loughney as player development manager.
Loughney needs no introduction to supporters of Connacht. A native of Galway city, he played 191 times for the province across a 12-year career, and was a member of the squad which won the 2016 Guinness PRO12 Championship.
A hugely respected member of the club both on and off the pitch, Ronan will be able to provide invaluable knowledge and experience in helping players in their personal development.
In his role as player development manager, Loughney will help to foster the personal growth and development of players while they are still playing and ultimately prepare them for life after rugby. He will form part of Rugby Players Ireland’s player development programme (PDP), which is a jointly funded initiative between the players’ association and the IRFU.
The PDP takes a person-centred approach and is tailored to meet the needs of every individual player across the senior men’s and academy provincial squads, the Irish Women’s XVs squad, and the Irish Sevens programme.
Ronan replaces Deirdre Lyons, who held the role for over 11 years. In that time Deirdre was an integral part of the Connacht Rugby environment. She will now lead the expansion of Rugby Players Ireland's support services for retired players with the launch of Beyond the Game, a new initiative supported by the Global Rugby Players Foundation.
Everyone at the club would like to place on record their sincere thanks for all she has done for Connacht players past and present.
Speaking after his appointment, Ronan Loughney said: “I’m thrilled to join Rugby Players Ireland and rejoin the Connacht Rugby family. Everyone knows what this place means to me, and to be able to give something back in terms of supporting the playing squad in their personal development will be really fulfilling for me.
“I hope to provide the same level of support to players that the players association gave me when I was a player, and I look forward to working with both the group and the wider Connacht and RPI management teams in fostering a strong environment of support and community.”