HARLEQUINS TO BID FAREWELL TO HIGHLY-RATED COACH AFTER ‘MUTUALLY AGREED’ DEPARTURE
Harlequins have confirmed that former senior coach Tabai Matson will depart the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Matson follows ex-Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery, who has joined the Springboks coaching team, in leaving the Premiership side.
Tabai Matson to leave Harlequins
The 50-year-old joined Harlequins ahead of the 2021/22 season before transitioning in 2023 to his current role as Director of Performance Development.
His recent role saw him work across the men’s and women’s programmes, as well as supporting strategic club partnerships.
A statement from Harlequins confirmed that the two parties ‘mutually agreed’ to Matson’s departure at the end of the season and added that his focus for the remainder of the season will be around supporting the Harlequins Women’s programme.
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New challenge
Quins also confirmed that they would not be recruiting a replacement for Matson’s role, with his key areas of focus being picked up by the existing management and coaching staff.
“Tabai has brought huge knowledge and passion to his roles at Harlequins,” Director of Rugby Billy Millard said.
“He has infectious energy and positivity and he has built friendships and collaboration across the Club and our partners.
“We are really happy that Tabai will continue to support our women’s programme until the end of the season and we wish him the very best for his longer term future coaching career, he will always be a welcome friend at The Stoop.”
Matson added: “I have loved my time at Harlequins and have enjoyed the strong culture at the Club which is something I feel is crucially important to the success of a club.
“The time is right for me to look to develop my coaching career elsewhere, but I will always retain my passion for Harlequins. I am excited to support the women’s team across the coming months and push up the table.”
The news follows Harlequins’ 52-7 defeat to Saracens in the London Derby in round 13 of the Premiership.
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2024-03-27T18:05:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd