Guinness Premiership : John Kingston takes Head Coach position at Quins

John Kingston takes Head Coach position at Quins

16 May 2008, 12:43 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

After the departure of Andy Friend, Harlequins would like to announce the re-structuring of the playing department.

John Kingston, who joined the coaching team at Harlequins in the summer of 2001 from Irish side, Galwegians, will take up the Head Coach position with Harlequins, replacing Andy Friend. A former Harlequins player, John also played for Newcastle Gosforth, Rosslyn Park, Middlesex and London Division, England Under 23's and England B, along with captaining a winning Cambridge Blues side.

Present Academy Manager, Colin Osbourne, originally joined Quins as the First XV backs coach in 1990. He went on to take the role of Head of Youth Development and then succeeded to the Manager’s role in 2006. He will now take up the Assistant First Team Coach position, alongside John Kingston.

Taking over as Academy Manager will be Tony Diprose. The former Harlequins, England and British Lions player, Tony assumed the role of Assistant Academy Manager in July 2006 after retiring from professional rugby.

John, Colin and Tony will all continue to work under the guidance of Director of Rugby, Dean Richards:

“I am delighted that John has decided to take the head coach position, with Colin Osborne joining him in the first team and Tony Diprose taking control of the Academy. I am a true believer in natural progression within a club and rewarding individuals for their commitment and effort. I have a huge regard for all my coaching staff and I am looking forward to next season.”