Australian Rugby 7s Women's coach Tim Walsh will step aside following the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast after five seasons in charge of the all-conquering women's side.
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Walsh led the Australian Women's side to the Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero and secured Australia's first-ever HSBC World Sevens Series title in the same year.
The team currently leads this season’s HSBC World Series after a resounding round one tournament win in Dubai in December.
The 38-year old will leave his post on April 30 to spend time with his growing family, wife Roza and their son Tiger.
"When I got a call from David Nucifora (then High Performance Manager) six years ago offering me a Coaching Coordinator role for both Australian Rugby Sevens teams, I would never have imagined how this opportunity would transpire; an Olympic Gold medal, a World Series Championship, the growth of a new genre and era in women’s contact sport as well as lifelong friendships,” Walsh said.
"I move on with a heavy heart but I know that the timing is right for the program to progress and for me to explore new challenges.
"I'll depart the program leaving it in a very healthy position, with world class players, pathways for our elite development group and importantly, specialised and experienced Sevens coaches and management staff.
"It was an honour and a privilege to be given the responsibility by Rugby Australia to lead the Australian Women’s Sevens team for the past five seasons … All of my expectations have been exceeded in terms of results and the personal and professional relationships I have forged.
"I have worked with and developed some of the best rugby players and coaches in Australia, and my time with Rugby Australia has been one of the most rewarding and enriching times of my life both on and off the field.”
Since taking the reigns in 2012, Walsh boasts the highest win-rate of any Australian professional coach at 84 per cent.
Current assistant coach John Manenti will take the reins at end of April until the completion of 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
There will be sevens play locally with a two-day rugby carnival to be held in Tathra next month.
Registrations for the event, to be held on the weekend of February 17-18, 2018, are open now by contacting Lachlan Creighton on l.creighton@brumbies.com.au or 0407 720 386.