More than 200 Leicester Tigers supporters pitched their questions to some of the key figureheads at the club at the annual Open Supporters’ Forum at Welford Road on Tuesday.
Head coach and soon-to-be director of rugby Geordan Murphy was joined by head of performance pathway and talent identification Ged Glynn and head of elite performance recruitment Jan McGinity as they fielded questions from the room.
Alongside the playing staff, chief executive Simon Cohen, chief operating officer Andrea Pinchen and head of brand Chris Rose offered insight into the goings-on behind the scenes at the club.
With the opportunity to ask the top table anything, the recent signings of Nemani Nadolo alongside the re-signing of Tom and Ben Youngs kicked off proceedings in the 1880 Suite.
Glynn also provided a presentation for supporters on the pathway young players undertake, as well as how they push on though the academy and development squad.
Jan McGinity, who joined the Tigers last summer, also shared how his role in ‘monitoring the market’ means the club can be on top of available players throughout the on and off season.
"The senior squad is made up of 56% homegrown talent, and we're top of the league for the number of academy graduates."
Ged Glynn
The sale of the club, the development of the hotel and car park complex at Welford Road and the refresh of the Board were all addressed by Simon Cohen, alongside giving fans an insight into what incoming head coach Steve Borthwick will bring to Murphy’s backroom staff.
Andrea Pinchen opened up on the ambitions of the club to expand the women’s game, enhance the club’s matchday offering supporters and the success of the recent ‘Celebrate Inclusion’ fixture.
The panel face another question for the floor, regarding the new structure of director of rugby Geordan Murphy and head coach Steve Borthwick.
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 3, 2020
🗣️Simon Cohen: "They've taken a lot of time to run through possible scenarios, and their dynamic has been really good."#TigersForum
Supporters interested in the news of Samurai Sportswear becoming the club’s kit supplier for the 2020/21 season also heard more from head of brand Chris Rose on the club’s retail plans, as well as heard feedback on how the club’s ‘move to cashless’ has been performing.
Murphy ended the two-hour discussion highlighting his ambitions for the club, with tough fixtures against Saracens and Exeter on the road, before a ‘season-defining’ run of home games in the Gallagher Premiership and knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup.
Members of the Tigers Supporters' Forum meet six times a season at Welford Road with senior club staff members to discuss all aspects of the running of their club.
