Former Melbourne Rebels coach Damien Hill will head up the Brumbies’ high performance department, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
Hill, who most recently headed up Japanese side Ricoh Black Rams, started his career as a development officer with the Brumbies and has also coached at Sydney Uni and Top League team Suntory.
This new role will see Hill overlook the elite structure as well as the local talent pathways in a bid to strengthening their Super Rugby depth.
“It’s exciting to work again with the Brumbies which has such a successful history,” Hill said.
“It’s a new position at the Brumbies, so (it's) an opportunity to develop the role from the ground up.
“The Brumbies reputation was a strong factor in my decision to apply for the job and this was a chance to come back to where I first started my Rugby career.
“It is an opportunity to step away from coaching for a while but still contribute to high performance outcomes, and a great chance to put into place what I’ve learnt as a coach over the past 15 or so years into a more strategic role off the field as well as developing another set of skills.
“My main role will be working with the coaching staff to build a strong player list for the next few years and to expand the current systems that are in place with regards to the pathway for future school and club players to become Brumbies and Wallabies.”
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said Hill would play a big role in the long-term strategy of the club, with Larkham moving to a full-time Wallabies role at the end of the Super Rugby season.
“Damien brings a wealth of experience and I am looking forward to working with him in planning the future of the club,” Larkham said.
“The appointment of Damien is another step forward in the continuous improvement of the Brumbies in initiating the organisation’s best practice program and shows the progressive nature of the club.”
