IRB MEDIA RELEASE: Rugby World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward to speak at #IRBConfEx

Rugby World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward to speak at #IRBConfEx

Chelsea FC psychologist Tim Harkness to join former Black Fern Anna Richards and Woodward on sports psychology panel

Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan to moderate panel

The International Rugby Board has announced that Rugby World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward will take part in an intriguing panel discussion on “Mind games – The making of champions” on day two of the 2014 IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition (ConfEx) at the Hilton London Metropole on November 17-18.

The panel will explore how players and teams prepare for elite competition and how different athletes take different approaches depending on the sport they are competing in.

Woodward, who won 21 caps for England and three for the British and Irish Lions, guided England to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003 before becoming Director of Sport for Team GB in 2006, culminating in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Woodward continues to work with the International Olympic Committee in supporting athletes’ and coaches’ development and is a member of their Entourage Commission.

He will be joined by Tim Harkness, a South African sports psychologist currently working with Chelsea Football Club. During his career, Harkness has also worked with athletes from Rugby, golf, surfing and other Olympic sports.

Also joining the panel is Anna Richards, who represented New Zealand at five Women’s Rugby World Cup between 1991 and 2010, winning four of the competitions. She was appointed as head coach of the Hong Kong women’s Sevens team in 2014.

The “Mind games – The making of champions” panel will be moderated by former international gymnast and sports broadcaster Gabby Logan, while David Eades, BBC World journalist and broadcaster, will moderate a selection of other sessions during ConfEx.

Speaking about the announcement IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: “The way in which athletes, players and teams prepare for elite sport has attracted growing attention in recent years and sports psychology is now a big part of elite sports performance. ConfEx will provide the ideal platform for debate on this subject and I am delighted to welcome Clive Woodward to share his insights and successful formulas in what should be an intriguing and informative discussion.”

Now in its second year, ConfEx will once again bring together leading figures and decision-makers from across Rugby and the wider sporting community, providing a unique environment for those involved to share knowledge and foster relationships.

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