As a player Russell won the Heineken Cup with Bath and played 7s for England. While at University at Cambridge he played for the Blues side in two winning Varsity matches. In 2000 he was selected to play for the Barbarians.
His coaching career progressed rapidly as he became the assistant coach for England 7s where he won back to back Dubai titles, Twickenham 7s and England’s first ever victory at the Wellington 7s (NZ). Eventually Russell was head hunted for a role working for England Rugby in the Elite Development Pathway. The role with the Rugby Football Union came with a clear brief of developing players that one day will have the capability of winning a Rugby World Cup for England Rugby. 25 players out of the England squad who playing in the Japan World Cup 2019 were developed in this pathway.
“I am curious about and obsessed with helping people, I want to better understand how individuals and teams exceed their dreams, how learning environments are nurtured and what might be possible for us all in the future. How can people live the story they want?”
Russell has also consulted with and delivered for Google, the FA, GB Hockey, British Triathlon, the Rugby Football League and British Swimming to name a few… often playing the part of the nutcase in their story!