General Manager of Rugby, Sam Cordingley, Leaves RaboDirect Rebels Staff

RaboDirect Rebels' General Manager of Rugby Sam Cordingley will return to Brisbane after accepting a position at the Queensland Reds, a Club he played 43 Super Rugby matches for.

Cordingley has been at the Rebels for the past three seasons, originally as a foundation player in 2011 before taking on roles as Player Recruitment Manager in 2012 and most recently General Manager of Rugby.

RaboDirect Rebels CEO Rob Clarke praised the efforts of Cordingley, and said he whilst disappointed he could understand the decision made by the former Wallaby scrum half to head home to Brisbane.

"As a Club we strive for excellence in everything we do," Clarke said. "We are on the cusp of building a world class Rugby program here in Victoria. 

"To think that we can make the progress we have, whilst ensuring our personnel are not recognised externally for their excellent work, is unreasonable.

"We certainly want to see our players and administrators wanting to take on challenges, and we will never stand in the way of their aspirations even if that means that they move on from the Rebels. I would like to believe that the purpose of our Rugby program is to do just that; to ensure when somebody leaves the Club it is as a better player or staff member and, more importantly, a better person.

"Sam has done an outstanding job to date with our Rugby program, and we understand his departure back home for personal and professional reasons.

"We would like to wish him, his wife Virginia and their children Nick, Max and Remy all the very best for the future."

Cordingley was one of the Club's first signings in late 2010, having played for the Reds from 1999 to 2001 and 2006 to 2008 and also for French Rugby Club Grenoble.

"I played for the Reds and I'm really proud of what the QRU has evolved into," Cordingley said. "It's nice to know I'll be a part of that going forward.

"That being said, I can't speak highly enough of my time at the Rebels. They've come a long way since starting up in 2011 and the Club is certainly on the right track.

"I would like to thank the Rebels' board, my former teammates and everybody at the Club who have supported me over the past 3 years. The Rebels will always hold a special place in my heart."

The Rebels are set to announce their final 2014 Super Rugby playing roster soon, with two major signings set to be unveiled in the coming weeks. 

Cordingley leaves behind a legacy that includes the Club's most successful recruitment and retention period in its existence, with the Club's playing squad stronger ahead of the 2014 season than it ever has been before.