Rugby Americas North (RAN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Harland to fill the role of RAN Regional Training Manager, a position recently opened by Mike Luke’s retirement. Harland will transition from his current role as Regional Development Manager beginning in 2019.

Harland continues his work with RAN after over a decade leading the efforts to develop rugby in the region. In his current role he has guided 14 countries to develop and implement long-term strategic plans and related Training and Education programs, served as match commissioner and tournament director for international tournaments, delivered RAN’s Leading Rugby Workshops, and consulted on various grant and education initiatives.

World Rugby Training Manager Jock Peggie said: “I am delighted that Scott is to join our global team of Regional Training Managers to drive Training and Education forward in Rugby Americas North. As a Licenced Master Trainer, Scott possesses the skill sets required to help grow the workforce responsible for making our game better and safer for all. He will be able to build on the stellar work of the retiring Mike Luke and to take delivery of our Training and Education portfolio further onwards.

“This is an exciting time for our game, and helping our Regional Associations and Member Unions to develop their coaches, match officials, medics and game day staff remains a major focus of World Rugby’s Technical Services department. We are delighted to invest in this position and look forward to Scott getting started in the new year.”

In line with Rugby Americas North and World Rugby’s Strategic Plans, the Regional Training Manager supports the implementation and delivery of World Rugby’s Training and Education programs by developing and deploying a qualified regional workforce of Licensed Master Trainers, Trainers and Educators and by delivering a needs-based regional training program across the five strands of World Rugby’s Training and Education Portfolio.

Rugby Americas North President Miguel Carner had this to say about Harland’s experience: “For many years now, Scott Harland has been criss-crossing the RAN Region: Canada, the United States, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico, delivering fantastic development advice, on and off the pitch. In doing so, he has developed a very close relationship with all the Unions and their Members. This will be an invaluable asset in his performance as Regional Training Manager.

“As for his passion and love of the game, they have always been there, and are part of his DNA. Our wholehearted congratulations to Scott and to RAN on this appointment.”

Harland said of the new title: “I am very excited to accept this opportunity to serve RAN as the Regional Training Manager. I think that there is a lot that I will be able to transfer to the role from my experience as RAN’s Regional Development Manager, and I look forward to reinforcing my relationships with the many inspiring leaders of Training and Education across our region and the world.”

Harland will fill the shoes of Luke who has a long history of service to the game of rugby. Luke began his career as a player and later captained the Canadian National Team from 1974-83. He went on to coach several Canadian National Teams including Men’s Sevens, Under 21, and Developmental XV.

Since his playing days, Luke built an impressive resume as a respected coach and Master Trainer on the World Rugby education circuit, and has served on several national coaching councils and committees, including Chair of the Canadian National Coaching Certification Council. He has worked with World Rugby in the Training and Education field for over 12 years, and was the 2006 IRB Rugby Development Award winner. Mike worked as a professor at Memorial University, St. John’s from 1969 – 99 and is currently an Adjunct Professor at Boston University.

Harland was quick to praise his predecessor: “Mike Luke is respected across the rugby world as a caring and determined steward of the sport. I join many others in gratitude for his guidance over the years, and I will work hard to continue to build on his tireless efforts to advance Training and Education in our region.”