NLD Youth Council Mentor

The Mentor role

NLD Youth Council Mentors are facilitators and role models to members of the NLD Youth Council, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to help young people navigate challenges so that they can gain valuable experience in an enjoyable and safe environment. This challenging but rewarding role has great opportunities to make a difference and develop personally and professionally. Working with other facilitators and with the support and guidance from the NLD Age Grade Team, it is a role that will be particularly helpful to people who are developing a career path in sports and youth development.

Support for you

We plan to recruit a small team of Mentors who can support each other. NLDRFU will also pay for Mentors to the attend the RFU Mentoring Course.

Advice and support will also be provided by Tim Wilbraham and Chris Briggs of the NLD Age Grade Team, as well as Jenna Bonser of the RFU Midlands Club Support Team.

Expenses, including mileage, will be paid to ensure that Facilitators do not feel that their volunteering incurs an unnecessary financial burden,

How much time it will take up?

• NLD Youth Council meetings every month for 1 hour (Mainly online, occasionally face-to-face)
• In total, you should expect to be occupied for approximately 3 hours every month to support the development and delivery of the NLD Youth Council activities
• Your support will also be appreciated for events such as ColtsFest, Girls’ U16 & U18 Festival, Girls’ U12 Festival as well as occasional forums or promotional events

Responsibilities of NLD Youth Council Mentors

1. 1)  Facilitating meetings: Attending monthly meetings which are mostly held online. During the meetings you will support and encourage all members to contribute, helping them develop their ideas so that they can have a realistic chance of benefitting young people in rugby.
2. 2)  Mentoring: You will also be mentoring and advising the members outside meetings, when they take responsibility for elements of the projects that the NLD Youth Council carries out. You will also guide the leadership team in how they manage meetings, prioritise and plan activities and recruit members.
3. 3)  Supporting: You will support the Youth Council by attending events such as the rugby festivals that they run or their forums which can be online or face-to-face.
4. 4)  Communication support: Often you will need to advise members on the best ways to communicate with senior RFU or NLDRFU officials or club officials and suppliers. This can be intimidating for young people, so there may be occasions when you will attend meetings to support them.
5. 5)  Working with partners / stakeholders: You will work closely with the NLD Age Grade Team, RFU National Youth Council, other NLD volunteers and club representatives to support and coordinate activities and resources for youth development.
6. 6)  Advice for maintaining records: You will ensure the group keep good records of their activities and operate efficiently, while observing rugby’s core values (TREDS).

7. 7)  Safeguarding: Ensure best practice for safeguarding is maintained across all activities to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. You will address any behavioural issues or conflicts that arise in a fair and respectful manner and with discretion.
8. 8)  Reporting guidance: You will ensure that NLD Youth Council reports its activities to the NLDRFU board and that spending is kept within the budget constraints.
9. 9)  Monitoring and feedback: You will encourage the Youth Council to assess the impact and effectiveness of their initiatives through participant feedback, observation, and evaluation metrics. They should use this information to make improvements and adjustments.

Personal specification

Essential

• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and connect with young people effectively
• You will be passionate about rugby, its core values and driving for the rights of young people
• Empathy, patience, and a genuine interest in supporting the growth and well-being of others
• Ability to work collaboratively and adapt to changing needs and priorities
• Commitment to safeguarding and maintaining a safe environment for program participants
• Reflective and open to feedback, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• As the role involves regular contact with young people and their data, the successful candidate will have to undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Ideally you will have previous experience working with young people, particularly in areas related to rugby, personal development, leadership, or education
• Leadership or volunteering experience
• Experience of working with different groups to achieve a goal
• Familiarity with the playing and volunteering environment for young people in rugby
• Mentoring or psychology qualifications

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all volunteers and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.
If you feel you would require reasonable adjustments to carry out the role or attend an interview due to a disability, caring responsibilities or any other reason, please give details in your application or get in touch with us to discuss further.

Application process

Applications in the form of curriculum vitae and covering letter to be sent to Tim Wilbraham at

[email protected]

• Closing date for applications: Friday 25th October 2025.
• Face-to-face interviews to be carried out during week commencing 27th October 20205.