The Malta Rugby Football Union has announced the appointment of James Morris as Malta’s new Rugby 7s Development and Skills Coach, as preparations for the 2023 Small Nations Games increase.
The MRFU said that Morris was appointed following a rigorous selection process, and will be working under Technical Director Damian Neill.
Morris will be specialising in the 7’s version of the game in preparation for the first ever 7’s rugby competition at the GSSE games in 2023 which will be held in Malta.
Morris started off playing rugby in Cardiff, playing for Rhiwbina RFC junior section, through the years he captained St.Davids College in the Welsh colleges league. At representative level, he played for the prestigious Cardiff Blues U16 academy, and also represented Wales A U16s playing.
Morris obtained a BSc in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University and gained his first Malta cap on the 28th April 2012 against Croatia. From there he went on to win 20 international caps with the national team and was also a part of the successful 7s team which won the European 7s Conference 2 tournament in Hungary.
He has acquired vast international experience through his career, playing for the Joondalup Brothers in Perth, Australi and also earning an illustrious semi-professional rugby contract with Amstelveense Rugby club in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, after impressing in the Amsterdam 7s.
Morris remained at the club for one season, playing and coaching the senior backs, before coaching the youth and junior section, and the senior 7s side the following year.
At this stage in his career Morris focused on coaching and teaching. He is a World Rugby Level 2 coach, and he is also a Level 2 football coach. He has recently graduated from the University of the West of England, studying a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education.
The MRFU said that this investment in its coaching staff would not have been possible without the assistance of the Maltese Olympic Committee and Sports Malta.
“This serves our goals of further investment in our 7s Rugby Programme.”