Delport returns to boost recruitment

Worcester Warriors can today announce that legendary full back Thinus Delport is to rejoin the club to help drive player recruitment and ensure the very best talent in world rugby is attracted to Sixways.

Head Coach Richard Hill has spelt out his vision to develop and reinforce the recruitment strategy as Warriors prepare for a return to the Aviva Premiership this season and Delport has now started work as a Recruitment Consultant with the club.

Fan’s favourite Delport, who made 110 appearances for Worcester between 2004 and 2008, is a hugely respected figure in the global game after a glittering playing career.

Delport made 18 appearances for South Africa and impressed in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere where he featured for the Lions in Super 15, Gloucester and Warriors in the Premiership in England and also Kobelco Steelers in Japan.

The 36-year-old’s knowledge and understanding of the game has also been recognised in recent years with his media commitments and Head Coach Hill believes Delport is the right man to help him develop the squad at Sixways.

“It’s about getting the right group of players together and recruitment is a very serious priority now we are back in the top-flight,” said Hill.

“We have a highly motivated squad and very talented players who are developing well. The likes of Miles Benjamin, Marcel Garvey, Jonny Arr and Oliver Tomaszczyk are outstanding players who have had good seasons and have bright futures.

“It is crucial that on top of that you can pick out two or three high quality players that will keep moving the squad forward to achieve our ultimate ambitions.

“One of the key factors to recruiting a player is doing thorough research. That way you not only know the person is high quality, but also that they have the right qualities to come into this environment, especially if they are from overseas, and fit in and perform at the highest level.

“We needed somebody who was highly respected, is extremely knowledgeable about players and is a fitting ambassador for the club. Thinus is that person and he will be there to watch those players that are identified, to talk to the right people about them and ultimately meet the player to ensure it is the kind of person we want at the Warriors.”

Delport admitted it was fantastic to be involved with a club so close to his heart once again and vowed to leave no stone unturned in a bid to bring the best players to Warriors in the coming years.

He said: “It’s great to be part of the ambition of Worcester Warriors. I want to help reach the vision that the club has set out, both that of Cecil Duckworth and Richard Hill and Phil Davies, in terms of the rugby goals.

“It’s a massive year of rugby, with the World Cup in New Zealand bringing a lot to a rugby calendar, and this new recruitment process will help us identify potential players that will only add to the club.”

Charlie Little, Managing Director at Warriors, revealed that the appointment of Delport was part of a long-term strategy to ensure the playing resources available at Sixways were strengthened year upon year.

“We will be identifying the core values of what makes a Warriors player and ensuring that anyone that comes in meets those criteria,” he said.

“Thinus has a vast knowledge of rugby from his playing career and media work, from National One through to the RFU Championship, Aviva Premiership and Southern Hemisphere rugby. Most importantly he is a Warrior, he knows what it means to pull on the shirt here at Sixways.”


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