Quins move on Kingston
Fri, 16 May 2008 23:13
John Kingston is the new head coach at Harlequins. His elevation to the top post at the Guinness Premiership outfit follows the departure of Andy Friend.
Friend, who leaves to take over as Brumbies Super 14 coach for the next three years, has been at the helm with Quins since the summer of 2005.
Following his departure the Premiership club announced the re-structuring of the playing department.
Kingston, who joined the coaching team at Harlequins in the summer of 2001 from Irish side Galwegians, will take up the head coaching position.
A former Harlequins player, Kingston also played for Newcastle Gosforth, Rosslyn Park, Middlesex and London Division, England Under-23 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 Kingston.
Taking over as Academy Manager will be Tony Diprose. The former Harlequins, England and British Lions player, Diprose assumed the role of Assistant Academy Manager in July 2006 after retiring from professional rugby.
Kingston, Osbourne and Diprose 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 Osbourne joining him in the first team and Tony Diprose taking control of the Academy," Richards said.
"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."
