Griff manages the academy innovation and research philosophy, strategy, and process.
His responsibly is focused on solutions for the academy, but also include the 1st team, commercial department,
and foundation, across four themes: data, workflow, products, research. This multi-departmental collaboration is
facilitated through chairing of the internal FFC Innovation Group...
Regarding the academy, Griff is responsible for research, external relationships and collaborations, and the
student placement programme across eight departments: scouting, coaching, sport science and medicine, welfare,
education, match analysis, psychology.
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Griff was hired to prepare the sport science department for the EPPP re-audit. Griff
provided leadership and change management oversight to the department, underpinned by the development of a new
departmental philosophy and working processes. He was responsible for re-writing the departmental EPPP
documentation and updating policies and procedures to align with the newly developed philosophy; Fulham FC
Academy retained its Category I status with the sport science department mentioned as “outstanding”...
An important philosophy and process update regarding the youth (FP and YDP) S&C programme required clear
leadership. This included the utilisation of growth and maturation data in decision making processes by
understanding the value of this data and what it means in terms of injury risk and performance enhancement,
particularly in the YDP. In addition, there was a redevelopment of the gym programmes to reflect awareness of
PHV and the need for appropriate exercise/set/rep selection. Griff introduced a multi-sports programme into
the FP, and provided regular workshops on growth and maturation to all FP/YDP parents.
Griff managed a staff of 12 including full-time, consultants, and placement students delivering S&C, sport
science and nutrition provision across the FDP, YDP and PDP for 180 footballers. In addition, he developed a
comprehensive CPD program for the department and individual staff members and led several research projects
across the FP/YDP/PDP.
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Griff prepared and presented lectures for the Strength and Conditioning Science
undergraduate and masters programmes, as well as provided pastoral care for tutees. He was the module leader for
several undergraduate modules, in areas including statistics, applied coaching, and physiology of performance.
As an innovator he designed and implemented the ‘Gold Medal Internship program’ with six local professional
teams and NGB’s, providing 6-8 students annually with applied professional work experience while undergraduates,
as well as co-developed and delivered a critical thinking course for the freshmen class...
As a PhD student Griff designed and project managed five research studies, including collaboration with
England Men’s Rugby 7’s and Richmond RFC championship 1st XV, and was the lead author on several published
peer-reviewed articles. In addition, he presented his research findings at local, regional, and national
conferences.
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As the Director of Rugby Griff was responsible for $250K annual budget, ~110 athletes,
six volunteer assistant rugby coaches, one assistant S&C coach, one full time assistant coach, one athletic
trainer and one doctor. He had extensive reporting duties including weekly updates with his Associate Athletic
Director, quarterly with the rugby alumni board, and regular updates to all alumni via a monthly newsletter. In
addition, his project management skills were employed to ensure the bi-annual overseas tours, residential annual
spring break training camps, and extensive national travel for play-off’s had appropriate itineraries and
funding. Working in collaboration with the alumni board money was raised for capital upgrades to the rugby
stadium, practice equipment, funding of assistant coaches and support staff, and a specific budget to ensure all
student-athletes selected to all-star and national team camps were financially supported...
As the head coach he was responsible for all aspects of athlete recruitment, on-field coaching, and liaising
with student leadership. The coaching process involved detailed planning and student-athlete feedback while
holding assistant coaches accountable. Assistant coaches were encouraged to have significant autonomy within
the pre-agreed playing framework and coaching philosophy. Griff supported the wider Pacific coast coaching
community running CPD events at the Stanford rugby stadium as well as providing mentoring to several coaches.
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Since starting during pre-season 2012 Griff has been an assistant 1st XV squad coach
for six seasons with responsibility for attack strategy and skill development. Griff had specific oversight of
the 2nd XV on match day leading the ‘Vikings’ to six league wins, six defeats V’s Oxford University Varsity 1st
XV and the Royal Navy 1st XV, as well as the head coach role for the 2016 British and Irish Cup campaign. In
addition, he has coached the u16 and u17 boys during his time at the club...
Griff moved to the role of Head Coach for the Women’s Tyrrells Premiership squad for the 2018/19 season and
installed a coaching and performance analysis team, in addition to a productive recruitment drive. He
addressed the club’s ability to meet the RFU’s minimum operating standards ensuring the clubs maintenance in
the Tyrrells Premiership for the season. In addition, Griff oversaw the transition of five youth players from
the centre of excellence into the 1st XV.
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As the first full-time assistant coach to the rugby programme Griff oversaw much of
the administration relating to the RFU and university procedures, as well as assisting with the recruitment
processes by presenting to parents and potential athletes and overseeing on-campus visits...
Griff was Head Coach for Squad II, where he was responsible for four assistant coaches, the freshman trial
system, the 3rd XV and Freshman XV. In addition, Griff oversaw the rehabilitation of 1st team squad members
and a range of student-athlete ‘welfare focused’ workshops/seminars provided by Loughborough academics and
researchers.
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Griff was contracted to provide 1-1 S&C services to premiership footballer Joey Barton
across the 2014/15 season. The focus of the contract was return-to-play from an on-going lower limb soft tissue
injury. The process included on-going movement competency assessment, and detailed programming of movement
enhancement via tissue conditioning, strength & power development, running and COD mechanics.
Griff was contracted to the IRFU as the lead S&C coach for UK based Irish
international rugby players preparing them for the 2015 Women’s World Cup and 2015 and 2016 6-Nations
Championship. The role provided regular 1-1 and small group coaching and individualised periodized programming.
The programming included on-field & track based conditioning, & gym-based strength & power coaching, and lab
testing. Griff worked closely with the IRFU national team heads of S&C, medical and coaching to ensure all
programming was addressing the physiological KPI’s determined by the governing body.