Rugby role for Sport Performance chief

The Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) Talent Symposium, which will run from May 17-19 at The Royal Society; will address crucial questions about nurturing future rugby union talent in the UK.

The RFU has asked for questions online, which will be considered by sixteen of the world’s leading talent development experts before the panel. England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster will make the opening presentation.

Simon said: “The RFU is attempting something very innovative in relation to talent identification and development in sport with this symposium, and I’m looking forward to hearing some of the world’s foremost expert’s talk about their experiences, research and achievements.”

Formerly the Head of England Development Programme at the English Cricket Board, Simon joined UK Sport in January and has the crucial role of shaping the future of the UK’s high performance system to sustain British sporting success in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic games in Rio 2016.

UK Sport recently announced record investment of £355 million from the Government and The National Lottery to support Britain’s summer Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ preparations for Rio 2016. The goal is to become the first nation in recent history to be more successful in both the Olympics and Paralympics post hosting, in terms of medals won.