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#Post#: 21436--------------------------------------------------
Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: WellingQuin
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:03 am
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HARLEQUINS CAN TODAY (10TH APRIL) ANNOUNCE THAT CURRENT ACADEMY
TRANSITION COACH AND FORMER PLAYER TOM WILLIAMS WILL LEAVE THE
CLUB AT THE END OF THE CURRENT SEASON TO PURSUE A CAREER OUTSIDE
OF RUGBY.
Tom retired from playing after the 2014/15 season and joined the
coaching set up to help develop and mentor talent coming through
Harlequins Academy. Over that period Tom has provided invaluable
support both on and off the pitch for the Club’s young players
and ensured their seamless transition to the senior squad.
Alongside this role Tom has been a regular coach of the
Harlequins A League side and supported the commercial arm of the
Club with its leadership programme, The Business Academy.
As a player Tom amassed over 200 appearances for Harlequins in a
career spanning 13 years which saw him play a pivotal role in
securing European, Premiership and Anglo-Welsh Cup silverware.
He was one of the first Harlequins Academy graduates, setting
him in good stead for his later career choice. Tom scored over
60 tries for the London club and his astute rugby brain also saw
him selected to represent England 7s in the Hong Kong leg of the
World Series in 2004.
On announcing his resignation from the Club Tom said:
“Harlequins has been a part of everything that I have done for
over 17 years; very nearly half my life. I’ve seen tremendous
highs and experienced lows which have tested my resolve to
breaking point. However, despite those I do feel incredibly
fortunate to have been part of the recent history of this
magnificent rugby club.
“For 13 of those years I got to pull on the quarters and test
myself against some of the best players in the world, all the
while knowing that next to me fighting the same battle were some
of the greatest people you could hope to meet.
“The Premiership Final will obviously remain a key highlight and
a lasting memory, but for me it was the moments in the changing
room after a game, be it as winners or losers, which I will
cherish the most - the ability to look around the room and see
the levels your team mates were prepared to go to achieve that
victory.
“The time is now right for me to take a change in my career and
move away from rugby into corporate coaching. I can’t wait to
spend more time with my wife Alex, our three children Freddie,
Arlo and India and to watch a Harlequins game without having to
analyse it!
“Finally, I wanted to thank our supporters for everything you do
in support of our club, without ‘our people’, we wouldn’t be the
Club we are.”
Chief Executive David Ellis added: “Tom has made a valuable
contribution to Harlequins in his 17 year tenure both on and off
the pitch. As a player he was hugely respected, and a firm fan
favourite given his role in one of the most successful periods
in our history.
“As a coach in more recent times he has provided a number of our
players with both playing and welfare support as they transition
into the senior squad.
“We would like to wish Tom all the best in his future career and
look forward to welcoming him back to The Stoop as a spectator
for years to come.”
#Post#: 21437--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:11 am
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Actually quite a big loss, that. I think he's brilliant - seems
by all accounts to have been an excellent coach to the
youngsters and no one can argue that he doesn't bleed Quins. And
what a player he was. Had him down as a future 1st team attack
coach and who knows what he would have gone on to become after
that. I'm gutted he's going but he'll no doubt be a total
success in the corporate world and it's good to hear he's still
planning on heading down to the Stoop as a fan. Good luck Tom
and thanks for everything!
#Post#: 21438--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:13 am
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Thanks, Tom, for all you've done with the up & comers in the
Academy over the last few years. I know his time at the club
will always be linked to the Event That Shall Not Be Named, but
he was a stalwart of the club for a long time, and an underrated
player.
#Post#: 21439--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: returnoftheshrek
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:17 am
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Always liked TW as a player
IMO He was one of the best readers of a game, especially in
defence which didn't make him stand out like the other wingers
at the time but still a very good player.
Good luck in the corporate world!
#Post#: 21440--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:22 am
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--- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
>
> Thanks, Tom, for all you've done with the up & comers in the
Academy over the last few years. I know his time at the club
will always be linked to the Event That Shall Not Be Named, but
he was a stalwart of the club for a long time, and an underrated
player.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'll always remember him for that first Prem final try first and
foremost. He's certainly done enough great things for Quins over
the years to deserve not to be remembered for Bloodgate (not
suggesting you were doing so Fred!)
#Post#: 21441--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:35 am
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That is a big loss... A big favourite of mine, and an
outstanding player. His presence on the field always upped the
performances of the entire back line.
If you're reading this, good luck for the future.
p.s. I see what you did there!
--- Quote from: TomBuckQuin link ---
>
> ...and no one can argue that he doesn't bleed Quins. And what
a player he was...
>
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 21442--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:39 am
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--- Quote from: InsertQuinsPunHere link ---
>
> p.s. I see what you did there!
>
--- End Quote ---
Thought long and hard about whether or not that was insensitive
- then I remembered the message board I was posting on ;)
#Post#: 21444--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: Quinky
Date: April 10, 2019, 6:50 am
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Massive loss. Great player for Quins, and vastly underrated
outside the club. I honestly can't think of him being outshone
by anyone that he came up against - he was just one of those
players who seemed to do everything very, very well and
consistently so. I remember thinking at the time that we had Ugo
and Stretts, which of those would I drop, as I'd have chosen Tom
in a heartbeat. Other wingers were flashier and more
spectacular, but I'd pick Tom over them every time. He just
didn't have a weakness in his game. As for game-reading, he was
phenomenal, always knowing where to be and which option to take.
Add to this, he is a really nice bloke!
Good luck Tom, and thanks for all you've given the club. We were
lucky to have you.
#Post#: 21449--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: The Absolute Quintet
Date: April 10, 2019, 7:23 am
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Bit surprised by this. Seemed to be being groomed for and wanted
a serious rugby coaching career. Shame but good luck and many
thanks.
My favourite memory of him is away at Doncaster in the
relegation year. His opposite winger was seriously big. Tom had
the ball in a counter attack in our half, the big winger stands
up and gives him the double handed gesture to say 'come on then
titch, lets see you beat me'. Tom runs straight at him and
calmly chips over his head, to leave the winger for dead and to
score under the posts. It was very funny.
#Post#: 21451--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tom Williams leaving Quins
DIR By: Quins Head
Date: April 10, 2019, 7:46 am
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Yes very sad news great player and seemed to be on his way to
being a great coach as well. Will be a loss to Quins and rugby
as a whole.
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