Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Award-winning coach Kris Stafford shares community work, Californian rugby tour and commitment to ensuring student employability
Kris Stafford describes his role as Rugby Development Officer in Sport and Active Lifestyles as more of a ‘lifestyle’ than a conventional 9-5. He is incredibly passionate about supporting the student journey far beyond their university studies, working closely with local clubs like England Rugby Football Union (RFU) to provide work placement opportunities and further boost their employability prospects.
Overall, Kris’s role revolves around engaging and preserving the rugby recruitment and retention programme at Leeds Beckett, achieving this through supporting the competitive British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and recreational (touch rugby and non-BUCS activity) opportunities open to students. With a new academic term beginning and a fresh cohort of talented players in tow, Kris is looking forward to an exciting season ahead.
Kris works alongside Director of Rugby Colin Stephens, Head Coach Kerry Wood, and other coaching support staff to make the rugby teams titans of the competitive sport. Like all AU clubs in Sport & Active Lifestyles, Rugby Union receives invaluable support for athlete development in the form of strength & conditioning, memberships, access to sports facilities, as well as additional support from the Carnegie School of Sport in nutrition, performance analysis and use of the onsite injury clinic which add enormous value to the programme, helping players in their personal and professional development.
Where it all began…
Graduating from York St John University in 2008, Kris launched into his career as a Community Rugby Coach with the RFU, growing the game in schools, colleges and clubs. Gaining a wealth of experience over nine years, while also carrying out a number of part-time Assistant Coach and Head Coach roles at grassroots level, Kris left in 2016 to pursue a MSc in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University. Joining on a coaching scholarship from Sport and Active Lifestyles, Kris was tasked with working with the lower BUCS teams, where he managed to grow the club from 90 members to 220 (pre-Covid).
Upon completing his studies, Kris Stafford found he wasn’t finished at Leeds Beckett. A joint role between Leeds Beckett and RFU became available, leading to the appointment of his current role as Rugby Development Officer in 2018.
Kris Stafford, Rugby Development Officer
A longstanding legacy in collegiate rugby
Kris ponders the most notable moments of his tenure at Leeds Beckett so far, drawing on the growth of the club since 2016 as a key career highlight. Rugby makes up for the biggest sports team at the university, with six men and one women’s team competing at BUCS level, as well as two men’s development teams, one women’s development team and a social touch rugby programme.
“Reaching the BUCS Super Rugby Final at Twickenham in 2018 was a huge success,” Kris says, remarking on the team’s 11-game unbeaten streak and going on to win the BUCS Sevens that year too.
The team also have opportunities to engage with the sport on an international level, recently travelling to San Diego on the clubs’ first ever tour to support the International Recruitment Team in California. Linking up with partners San Diego State University, conducting training and playing matches with the professional San Diego Legion team, and carrying out community coaching at local clubs provided a truly unique and unforgettable opportunity for the students.
“This was a great experience for the players and coaches to learn from people at the top of their game, and we’ve had a number of potential new students contact about joining since the trip.”
A lasting legacy for his students
Kris’ dedication to his students on, off and beyond the university pitch is profound. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he received a ‘Thank You’ card from a student for the impact he had during their time at Leeds Beckett, and in supporting them with their career. Preceding this, while Kris was Head Coach of Old Otleiensians rugby club in 2018, he won the UK Coaching Moment of the Year, beating competition from Men’s England Football Coach Gareth Southgate and former Women’s England Netball Coach Tracey Neville.
Kris winning Coaching Moment of the Year, 2018
"WE’VE GROWN ON AND OFF THE FIELD AS A GROUP, AND WE’RE EXPECTING AN EXCITING SEASON AHEAD”- KRIS STAFFORD
Kris enjoys the rotation of university sport every 3-5 years, as it ensures he constantly adapts and improves as a coach. He insists this evolution is essential to keep on top of best practice. He also finds it hugely fulfilling to work with the students away from rugby, supporting them with work placement opportunities and gaining post-grad employment.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing players join the programme at 18 and leave at 25 either with a professional contract or employment which you’ve supported them into achieving,” Kris explains. “We have had a number of former students achieving coaching or teaching roles, and its great seeing them progress and develop.”
The new rugby season is upon us, getting underway on Wednesday 27 September, 6:00pm. Following a tricky season last year with a young side, this year looks to be promising, with Kris’s sights set on competition wins and more record-setting to come.
For more information:
Sport and Active Lifestyles and sporting scholarships
Competitive or recreational Rugby Union at Leeds Beckett
MSc Sport Coaching degree
San Diego Tour:
International recruitment team interviews (Video)
LBU Rugby San Diego Trip Promo (Video)
LBU & SDSU Joint Training Session Montage (Video)
LBU match highlights against San Diego Legion Academy (Video)
