Brighton: Head of High Performance Mike Anthony joins from New Zealand

New Zealand high performance boss Mike Anthony will switch from rugby union to football to join the Premier League side Brighton.

Anthony will join the club next month as the club’s first Head of Player Development and High Performance in what they feel is an innovative move focusing on culture and mindset.

Anthony has 25 years’ experience in sport, including four years with Gloucester Rugby Union Club.

However, he made his name with New Zealand Rugby, spending 14 years in a variety of senior roles.

Anthony’s main attributes lie in the areas of strength and conditioning, performance science, player development and building an elite culture.

At Brighton, he will work with sporting director Jason Ato’o, technical director Mike Cave and men’s head coach Fabian Horzler with the aim of improving and maintaining performance in the men’s first team.

Brighton is currently playing its ninth consecutive season in the Premier League, and two years ago played European football for the first time.

“Mike’s track record in one of the most successful high-performance systems in global sport speaks for itself,” said Jason Aito, sporting director.

“He has an exceptional ability to build environments where players, coaches and teams can thrive, and his experience will enhance every part of our performance structure. We are excited for him to get started.”