QBE Director of Rugby of the Season - Q&A: Andy Key, Leeds Carnegie
Andy Key, winner of the award for QBE Director of Rugby of the Season, inspired Leeds Carnegie to avoid relegation from the Guinness Premiership this season.
Here, Key talks exclusively to www.qberugby.com about what makes a successful Director of Rugby.
Can you tell us briefly about your role as Director of Rugby?
I work very closely with Neil Back (Head Coach) in managing both the teams on the field and off it. My main responsibilities can be categorized into two main areas:
- Ensuring that all systems and processes are in place so that the team off the field can provide the necessary support for the team on the field.
- Coaching the backs and the team in attack whilst ensuring that the team leaders have a strong input into our game plans
What qualities do you think make a good leader?
- Good communicator and listening skills
- Understands how to get the best out of people
- Empathy & Honesty
- Good questioning techniques
- Respects everybody’s views
- Good decision make
What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve had to overcome this season?
Balancing our finances whilst achieving our main objective. This was to retain our position in the premiership.
Who do you think have been the players to watch this season?
- Hendre Fourie (Leeds)
- Alex Goode (Saracens)
- Ben Foden (Northampton)
- Shalk Britts (Saracens)
- Ben Youngs (Leicester)
- Phil Dowson (Northampton)
- Butch James (Bath)
How do you see the sport developing in the next 10 years?
The game on the field I feel will not change a great deal but off it you will see a shift back to amateurism. I feel this will happen from Division 1 downwards and there will be only two divisions (Premiership & Championship) that will be recognised as being professional.
What one thing would you change about the Guinness Premiership?
I would change the amount of points you give for a drop goal to one point and therefore hopefully encourage more attacking options.
Attendance is increasing in the Guinness Premiership. What do you think has contributed to this success?
I believe the marketing teams have become far more professional and as a result become more innovative in how to entertain the spectator on match day over and above the game. Some clubs (Saracens) have created a real family day out with alternative entertainment especially when they have used Wembley.
What other sports do you think Rugby Union could learn lessons from?
We currently use a number of different sports to help develop our players with specific skills i.e. Judo, Wrestling, Boxing to name just a few. We probably could look at other sports too to continue to find ways of increasing our attendances whilst providing greater entertainment.
What impact will the Rugby World Cup in 2015 have on domestic rugby?
It should once again expose this game and touch the hearts of millions. This should generate huge excitement and improve numbers to local clubs. Hopefully it will bring much needed finances as each should identify ways of fund raising.
Who do you admire in the sport of rugby, past or present?
Ian McGeechan, Pat Howard, Dan Carter, Dean Richards, Martin Johnson and Bill McLaren.
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