NRFF appoints foreign rugby general manager

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has announced the appointment of James Goode as the first General Manager of the rugby national teams.

According to the federation, James Goode, who is from Cambridge, United Kingdom, will be responsible for the development of the schools, men’s and women’s game, increasing participation of teams in the league and contribute to the general high-performance strategy of rugby players across the country.

James Goode, according to the NRFF, grew up as a dual athletics and rugby player on scholarship at the Perse School for Boys, Cambridge. He joined Saracens Rugby Academy as Fly Half and was offered academy contract aged 16.

He played for the men’s reserve team in 2003 season before moving to Bath, where he obtained a degree in Economics before joining the Bath Rugby Academy.

Goode played for Bath men’s reserve squad and the University of Bath first  team.

The new manager was selected for British students squad runner up at the British Universities rugby championship.

During many years working abroad, Goode joined rugby clubs in Brazil, Gabon, coached and played in Pakistan before moving into the business side of rugby to manage little brother, Alex Goode, who is one of rugby’s top best players in the world.

Speaking on his appointment in Nigeria, Goode said, “I am very excited to take up this position in a country I am deeply passionate about. This is a unique time for Nigerian Rugby as we are yet to harness our full potential in the sport.”
 
Also speaking on Goode’s role in the country, NRFF president, Kelechukwu Mbagwu reiterated his commitment to ensuring the best structure is put in place for Nigeria rugby to thrive following the recent acquisition of an administrative office named The Nigeria Rugby House.

He noted that more modalities would be put in place to put smiles on the faces of rugby players in the country, saying that grassroots development of the game must be achieved.