

Former Professional Rugby Coach and Sports Commentator
“Whether you are in playing in the World Cup or leading a company, the key to your continued success is systematic, quantifiable, tangible improvements.”
As a pioneer of Professional Coaching in Rugby, Matt Williams has many years of experience coaching in both Australia and Europe. He is a gifted raconteur and has a unique message that he not only articulates but has lived.
Biography
During his time coaching, Matt Williams became fascinated with the makeup of individual and team performance. In elite sport, coaching is made up of 3 key areas: Technique, Tactics and Performance – which is the drive to play at one’s maximum. Matt takes the “Performance” aspect of sports coaching and applies the enhancing techiques to business teams and executives.
In 2006, after seven years in Europe, Matt returned to Australia and linked with the Sydney based HR company EXCEL HR. In partnership they have produced the ‘Peak Performance Business Program’.
In the media Matt has contributed articles to the Sydney Morning Herald, The Irish Independent and The Irish Times. He has appeared on the Irish radio Newstalk 106 and has been a commenter with the ABC, Setanta Cable TV and RTE Television. He is now the rugby writer for The Irish Times and works as a commentator for Tv3 Group.
Matt started coaching in the New South Wales Waratah’s system in 1990. In 1995, after playing an inside role of the winning of the Rugby Wars for the Rugby Union, he rose through the coaching ranks to become manager and Assistant Coach, before becoming Head Coach of the New South Wales Waratah’s from 1997 to 1999. During this time Matt was at the forefront of establishing professional coaching in rugby. Matt was instrumental in mentoring and coaching such great players as David Campese, Matt Burke, Tian Strauss, Phil Kearns and Jason Little.
Matt then pioneered the now familiar rugby ‘trek’ of Australians coaching in Europe. He was the first Australian Super 12 Coach to move to Europe. He travelled to Ireland coaching the now powerful Irish provincial side, Leinster. In Matt’s three years at Leinster he “was part of a great group of men” who rose through the European rankings from thirty five to second. Leinster won the inaugural Celtic League Final and were Semi Finalists of the European Cup.
Matt coached the British and Irish Lions Captain Brian O’Driscoll, as well as Gordon D’Arcy, Shane Horgan, Malcolm O’Kelly and Dennis Hickey. Matt also was appointed Head Coach of Ireland “A” and won the Six Nations title with the “A” team. This led to Matt being head-hunted and appointed Head Coach of Scotland. This unique challenge saw Matt as only the second Australian in over a century to be appointed as a Head Coach in the Six Nations Championship.
Matt Williams also has business experience as the current General Manager for RCNM, a software company for sports clubs enabling elite athlete management based in France.
He has a background in Education and holds a Masters Degree in Education from Sydney University specialising in Coaching.
Topics
Leadership
Team performance
Individual performance
Identifying your Corporate Culture