Ulster Rugby confirm new Elite Player Development Officers coaches
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Ulster Rugby can confirm that former player, Niall Annett, and Jonathon Graham have been appointed as the province’s new Elite Player Development Officers.
34 year-old Annett has announced his retirement from professional rugby, ending his playing career with Challenge Cup champions, Bath Rugby.
Provincial Pathway Coach, Jonathon Graham, is appointed to the role after his work across the age-grade set-up and pathway, including the delivery of the Talent ID programme across the province.
Both Annett and Graham will focus on developing forwards, with Annett specialising in set piece work and scrummaging.
A hooker as a player, Annett returns to Ulster Rugby having spent 11 years playing in England with Worchester Warriors and Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership, where, showing his hunger to transition to full time coaching down the line, in 2021 he completed the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award, the highest qualification achievable while playing professionally.
He played 20 times for the Ulster Senior Men’s side, making his debut against Leinster in 2011.
The former Methodist College Belfast pupil returns home to help progress the next generation of Ulster Rugby talent in the Academy and pathway.
Ulster Rugby’s General Manager, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted that Niall and Jonny have taken up the opportunity to become our EDPOs. These roles are key in our strategy for the next few years, and we want to help deliver top-class coaching to our young forwards.
“It’s great to welcome Niall back home, particularly as he brings significant set-piece expertise around the scrum and lineout, having been at the coalface for so many years in several high-performance environments.
“Jonny has been doing great work at Ulster Rugby over the past number of years, specifically within our age-grade coaching department and talent ID programme.
"Both are ambitious coaches, with a real passion for nurturing talent and we look forward to seeing them both play a big part in developing the players of the future.”
Jonathon Graham takes up the new role after his experience as a Provincial Pathway Coach.
On the return home, Annett commented:
“We as a family are very excited to be coming back home to Belfast and starting a new chapter with Ulster Rugby.
“I’ve had some brilliant playing experiences and been part of some great clubs in my playing career and I’m now eager to apply that knowledge into coaching and challenge myself.
"I’m excited to work alongside all the quality existing coaches and players and help develop talent throughout Ulster Rugby.”
Graham added:
“I’m really excited to get stuck into this new role. Having been involved in the pathway for a number of years, I can see the talent coming through and my goal is to help prepare these players for senior rugby as much as possible.
“It’s always a great source of pride to see players who come through the pathway play for the senior side and we want to develop the next generation of Ulster players.”
