Jamie Jones-Buchanan has been appointed as the first-ever head of culture, diversity and inclusivity in the history of Leeds Rhinos. Jones-Buchanan, one of the club's greatest players, will step down from the coaching team at the end of the current Super League season to take up a groundbreaking new role at Headingley.
Having been a part of Rohan Smith's coaching squad this year, as well as working under former head coach Richard Agar and briefly serving as interim coach, Jones-Buchanan will transition into a new role in 2023. He will be tasked with evolving the club's culture and approach towards its people
“When I retired from playing, the original plan was for me to have an involvement across a whole range of departments within the Rhinos as well as starting out on a coaching pathway," he said. "When the pandemic hit in my first year, that dictated that I could only be with one group so my focus was solely on coaching and being the best version of a coach that I could be.
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"I have thoroughly enjoyed that experience and I have been privileged to be a part of the lives of this group of players, especially our young stars who have allowed me to impart on them my knowledge.
“However, I have always been proud to be part of our city and community whether that is through my work with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Leeds 2023 or a whole myriad of organisations I have had the fortune to meet through the profile I have been able to gain through Rugby League and Leeds Rhinos.
"My new role will allow me, with others, to help shape the future direction of the club but also allow me to go out and engage people with Leeds Rhinos whether that is our mens or womens team, our wheelchair, PDRL or LDSL sides or the latest member of the Leeds Rhinos, our Netball franchise.
“It is about making sure we are all on board and pushing in the same direction, whether that is the team, the staff at Kirkstall and Headingley, our partners and importantly our fans, to help change lives through sport. I am exceptionally grateful for the opportunities Leeds Rhinos has given me throughout my life and now this new role allows me to try and hopefully allow even more people across our city to have the opportunity to be part of the Rhinos."
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