World Rugby has confirmed the appointment of Nicky Ponsford as the international federation’s Director of High Performance following a global process.
Since joining the international federation in 2021 as Women’s High Performance Manager, Ponsford has been instrumental in resetting the sport’s global high performance structures, creating a targeted approach to high-performance gains in line with the sport’s mission to increase its global audience share.
Notable achievements include resetting the approach for targeted unions to prepare for pinnacle events, including Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 and WXV, also significantly contributing to the reshaping of the global calendar to drive greater harmony between the club and country and 15 and sevens environments within the women’s game. Additionally, new coach education programmes and deployment of specialist performance consultants have helped create an holistic approach to raising global standards in line with the women’s plan.
More recently, Ponsford has demonstrated her credentials across the game as interim Director of High Performance, combining her role across the women’s game with a broader remit, leading on understanding the needs and opportunities of unions preparing for the new men’s Nations Cup from 2026, a remodelled Men’s Rugby World Cup qualification model, and discussions around future women’s competition models.
A two division Nations Cup from 2026, a reimagined Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, a new Men’s Rugby World Cup qualification model and a review of the global women’s competition models are all at the heart of the core performance objective of raising standards at expanded men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups. Ponsford will be at the heart of discussions with unions and regions on individualised programmes that will help advance rugby on the field.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “We are delighted to confirm Nicky Ponsford as Director of High Performance following a global process. One of the most successful and widely respected high-performance managers in the global game, Nicky will continue to bring her considerable experience and energy to a role that is pivotal in supporting our mission to grow the global game, broadening its appeal to more people in more nations.”
World Rugby Director of Competitions and Performance Nigel Cass added: “Nicky has made a huge impression across the game, playing a leading role in both redefining the women’s competition landscape, and reforming the way we partner with and support our unions to achieve their high-performance goals. With the sport entering an important and exciting era with new men’s and women’s calendars and competitions and expanded Rugby World Cups within a clear growth mandate, Nicky will bring her passion, expertise and collaborative approach to helping targeted unions achieve their potential, raising the competitiveness of the global game and ultimately unlocking new revenue opportunities for all.”
Ponsford said: “This is an era-defining time for a sport with a clear growth mandate over the next decade and I am excited about working across the business, and more broadly with unions and regions to provide targeted solutions that sustainably support increases in competitiveness within a calendar that includes new competition models and expanded men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and beyond.”
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