Tim Walsh (rugby union)

Tim Walsh (born 10 April 1979) is an Australian rugby union coach and a former professional player. He is currently head coach of the Australian women's sevens team and was previously head coach of the Australian men's sevens team. Walsh played as a fly-half for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, and for several professional teams in England and Italy. He is a former captain of the Australian men's sevens team.

Tim Walsh
Date of birth (1979-04-10) 10 April 1979 (age 45)
Place of birthSydney, Australia
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2003 North Harbour ()
2003–2004 Worcester Warriors 13 (144)
2004–2006 Leeds Carnegie 15 (28)
2006–2008 Birmingham & Solihull 48 (153)
2008–2011 Newbury 55 (315)
2011–2012 Petrarca Padova 40 (95)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004, 2010 Queensland Reds 6 (10)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996 Australia Schools
1998 Australia U19
2000 Australia U21
Australia Universities
2002–2009 Australia Sevens
Coaching career
Years Team
2013–2018, 2022–pres. Australia Women's 7s
2015, 2018–2021 Australia Men's 7s

Early life

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Walsh was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.[1] He was selected for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1996, and went on to play for Australia Under-19s in 1998.

Rugby career

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Walsh began his professional rugby career at the Queensland Reds in 1999, earning two provincial caps off the bench in the Ricoh National Championship.[2] He represented the Australia Under-21s in 2000 and also played for Australian Universities. Walsh later returned to play Super Rugby for Queensland in 2004 and 2010.[3]

In England Walsh played at Leeds Carnegie in the Guinness Premiership. He also spent several seasons playing in the Guinness Championship for Worcester Warriors, Birmingham and Solihull R.F.C. and Newbury RFC where he was captain. He finished his career in Italy in 2012 playing for Petrarca Padova.

Internationally, Walsh played for the Australian Sevens team for several seasons on the Sevens World Series circuit, and captained the team.[4]

Coaching

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Walsh became head coach of the Australia women's national rugby sevens team in 2013,[5] and qualified the team for the 2016 Olympic Sevens tournament. The women's team went on to win the gold medal, defeating New Zealand 24–17 in the final. "It's an Olympics sport and we're very successful at it." Walsh said after the medal ceremony.[6]

In September 2015, he took over as interim Head Coach of the Australia men's sevens team for their Olympic qualification campaign, following the resignation of Geraint John.[7] After the 2018 Commonwealth Games, he took over the head coaching position of the men's team.[8] In 2022 he swapped roles with John Manenti and became head coach of the Australian women's sevens team again.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Mason, James (2011). Churchie: The Centenary Register. Brisbane, Australia: The Anglican Church Grammar School. ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
  2. ^ "Annual Report 1999" (PDF 1.9 MB). Queensland Rugby. 1999. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  3. ^ Tucker, Jim (24 January 2010). "Tim Walsh in dream run for Queensland Reds". The Sunday Mail. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Exclusive interview with Tim Walsh ahead of Edinburgh Sevens". UR7s. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  5. ^ Taylor, Steele (7 October 2013). "Aussies repel Fiji for Oceania Sevens crown". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Why the women's rugby sevens gold is our most important medal". Australian Broadcasting Commission. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. ^ Browning, Jennifer (7 September 2015). "Australia's men's rugby sevens coach confident of qualifying for Rio Olympics despite upheaval". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Aussie women lose coach to men". The Daily Examiner. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Australia's rugby sevens coaches swap jobs; director leaves". AP News. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022.
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