Hull FC have announced the appointment of Gareth Ellis as the club’s new director of rugby and wellbeing. Ellis has held a player development manager role with the club since last spring, but he will now take the step up to join the senior management team in East Yorkshire.
As such, the 43-year-old will be working closely with chief executive Richie Myler moving forward as they look to implement the club’s football strategy. As well as his new director of rugby role, Ellis will continue offering wellbeing and welfare support to players and staff.
Ellis initially joined the Black and Whites as a player in 2013 and after taking on the club’s captaincy, he helped Hull win the Challenge Cup in 2016 and 2017. He hung up his boots at the end of the 2017 season but retained a role within the club and came out of retirement for two more seasons back in 2019 before stepping away again in 2020.
Since then he has also worked as an assistant coach at the club, but opted to step away from Hull to take up a role with Rugby League Cares in November 2023. His time away was brief, with the former back-rower returning to the MKM Stadium last year and he now looks set to have a big say in the direction of the club moving forward.
“Hull FC means a great deal to me, and I’m honoured to take on this role at such an important time for the club,” Ellis told the club after taking up the role.
“I’m looking forward to contributing to our future success by helping to instil our core values and reconnect all parts of our club both on and off the field.”
Hull FC CEO, Richie Myler, added: “Gareth is held in the highest regard both at Hull FC and across the wider game.
“His values, work ethic, and leadership make him the ideal person to drive our rugby strategy forward.
“His understanding of the modern player, combined with his connection to the club and city, makes this a significant and exciting step for us.
“We’re also pleased that this is a promotion from within, showing our intent to build a pathway for our people and reinforce the culture we’re establishing across the club.”
