The NSW Waratahs are delighted to announce that Barrie-Jon “B-J” Mather has accepted the position as Director of Performance with the NSW Waratahs.
Mather brings with him a highly credentialled set of skills and experience which will build on the excellent foundations that have been put in place by NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar, the Acting Director of Performance Andrew Cleverley and the NSW Waratahs team in 2025.
Mather, 52, will join the NSW Waratahs from the NSW Institute of Sport, where he has served as the Director of High Performance. He will start at the NSW Waratahs on 18 August.
He replaces Simon Raiwalui who now works at Rugby Australia as a senior coach within the National Pathways system since recovering from a serious health issue earlier this year.
Mather, also known as ‘B-J’, has previously worked as General Manager of High Performance at the Fiji Rugby Union – a period highlighted by a silver medal for the Fijian men’s team at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 – and as General Manager of Football at the NSW Rugby League.
Mather, who holds a Doctorate in the field of Elite Performance and a Masters-in-Business Administration, has also held senior coaching and managerial positions across rugby union and league in the United Kingdom. It was in the United Kingdom where he also earned the rare distinction of becoming a dual-international playing both codes for England and Great Britain.
Barrie-Jon “B-J” Mather said: " I'm really looking forward to joining the NSW Waratahs at what is an exciting time for Rugby in Australia in general and the NSW Waratahs in particular.
“The NSW Waratahs have made some significant changes in the last twelve to eighteen months that are making a difference on and off the field.
“I hope my experience in Olympic and professional sport can add to that success and help Dan, his coaching team, performance staff and players create an environment of sustained success."
Rugby Australia Director of High-Performance Peter Horne said: “We are delighted to announce ‘B-J’ to the role of Director of Performance with the NSW Waratahs.
“’B-J’ brings with him a unique set of skills and experiences which will build upon the excellent foundations Dan McKellar, Andrew Cleverley and the Waratahs team set in place in 2025.
“From senior roles with the NSW Institute of Sport, Fiji Rugby Union, and NSW Rugby League, ‘B-J’ is an experienced leader in the high-performance field, and I am confident he will make a positive contribution to the Waratahs entering an important 2026 season.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Simon Raiwalui, whose passion and dedication in working his way back from a serious health issue was inspiring to us all.”
