• Former Women’s USA 7s Head Coach Richard Walker will assume the Head Coach role for Farah Palmer Cup side the Storm

Auckland Rugby’s commitment to providing well-resourced High Performance pathways and environments for female athletes has extended today with the appointment of former USA Women’s 7s Head Coach, Richard Walker.

Walker returns home to the City of Sails as Head Coach of Auckland Rugby’s Farah Palmer Cup side, the Storm. Walker’s CV is impressive given his former roles as Head Coach of the USA’s Women’s 7s side, USA Women’s Youth Olympic team and as an assistant with the USA Women’s 15s side.

The pathway through to Walker’s side will now be that much clearer with former Auckland Storm title winning captain Anna Richards the first Auckland Rugby Female Player Development Manager.

The appointment of Walker continues to highlight Auckland Rugby’s dedication to finding the best candidates for High Performance roles following on from the appointment of former Black Fern Anna Richards to the role of Female Player Development Manager last month.

Auckland Rugby Head of High Performance Ben Meyer was delighted with the quality of applicants and sees Female High Performance going from strength-to-strength in Auckland.

“Richard is a key appointment in our ongoing commitment to being better supported in High Performance. Alongside Anna, we are confident that Female High-Performance rugby is well-placed to continue achieving now and in the future.”

Walker will be on-board from June once his overseas coaching commitments conclude.