Rhead Group helps pro rugby players tackle life outside the game

COVENTRY-based consultancy, Rhead Group, has advised members of the Leicester Tigers rugby team on transferring their on-field skills to project management once their playing careers are over.

During a workshop organised in conjunction with The Rugby Players Association (RPA), Rhead Group, one of the latest recipients of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, demonstrated how many of the skills needed to win at rugby, were identical to those required to construct major infrastructure projects such as power stations and stadiums.

First team players, including Toby Flood, Thomas Waldrom, Dan Bowden, Sam Harrison, Julian Salvi, Scott Hamilton, Marcus Ayerza and Blaine Scully attended the event, which was held at the club’s Welford Road ground.
 
Rhead Group directors Spencer Thompson, Cameron Tonkin and Guy Mercer used a series of examples to flesh out the essentials of effective project management.

The Basics of Project Management looked at building a bus shelter or nuclear power station and the similarities and differences between the two.

Transferable Skills identified the rugby skills highly valued in the workplace such as leadership, personnel management, media, and communications, while Mentoring Programmes were featured as mechanisms through which established project management professionals could mentor sports players seeking a career in project management.

Finally, Professional Career Development reviewed the organisations and associations that offer professional development for players wanting a career in project management.

Lynsey Ward, of the RPA, said: “This was a very positive turnout of players and many of them will undoubtedly want to learn and participate more in careers in project management. We hope to work with Rhead Group on developing some additional support programmes going forward.”

As a result of the positive response around the introductory workshop, Rhead Group and the RPA are already looking to ways they can contribute to the welfare and professional development of players after their rugby careers are over. Activity may include mentoring Leicester Tigers players through the transitional phase.