As an award-winning Club Manager, Rhys Morgan knows how important it is to create the right culture, which means putting people first.
In an increasingly complex operating environment, many of the challenges facing club managers are less about systems and structures, and more about people.
Creating the right culture, knowing when to step back, and balancing human leadership with technological change are now central to effective club management.
For Newport Club Manager Rhys Morgan, leadership starts with the environment he creates for others. Rather than focusing on control or hierarchy, his emphasis is on culture as the foundation for performance, believing that teams deliver their best work when they feel supported, trusted and safe.
“My approach to leadership is rooted in people,” he explained. “I describe it as being guided by my leadership compass: Positive People, Professional Performance.
“For me, culture is everything. I believe that if you build a positive, supportive, and safe environment, people will thrive. I see leadership not as directing from above, but as providing the conditions where others can excel.”
That mindset has influenced how responsibility is shared within the organisation.
Rhys acknowledges that learning to let go has been one of the most important steps in his own development, particularly in moving away from the instinct to solve every issue personally.
“Perhaps my biggest personal challenge has been recognising that I don’t need to shoulder every burden myself,” he revealed. “Early in my career, I had a tendency to try to resolve problems alone. Over time, I’ve realised that the strength of any manager lies in their ability to harness the knowledge and insight of their team.”
This approach has helped shape the progress made at Newport, where Rhys has focused on strengthening people, processes and culture to support long-term sustainability.
His leadership has been recognised within the industry, having been named Welsh Manager of the Year in 2025, while both he and the Newport team were shortlisted at the GCMA Awards in November.
Rhys believes the expectations placed on general managers will continue to evolve. While technology will play an increasingly important role in club operations, he argues that it must be matched by strong emotional intelligence and people skills.
“I see two major areas of evolution: people and technology,” he said. “Ultimately, the successful GM of the future will combine strong emotional intelligence with digital fluency — leading with heart, but leveraging technology to deliver results.”
