Harlequins has announced the appointment of a new Women’s coaching structure ahead of the 2022/23 season as the Club forms one of the most comprehensive Women’s rugby programmes in the country.
Current England Women U20s Head Coach and Performance Pathway Officer Amy Turner has been appointed as Harlequins’ Women’s new Head Coach, leading the team into their sixth season of Allianz Premier 15s action after reaching the semi-final stage last season. Turner returns to Harlequins having retired as a player in the Famous Quarters in 2018.
The Club is also delighted to announce the appointment of Brent Janse van Rensburg, who will assume an Assistant Coach role in his capacity as Technical Director of Harlequins’ Women’s programme. A highly experienced coach, van Rensburg returns to England having previously coached in the Gallagher Premiership with Bath Rugby as defence coach.
The Club also welcomes back current Harlequins Men’s player Ross Chisholm. After assisting former Head Coach Gerard Mullen during the 2021/22 season, Chisholm has been appointed in the role of Skills Coach ahead of the new campaign.
Finally, the Club is also pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head of Athletic Performance. Joining from Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels, Matt Walson will oversee Harlequins Women’s athletic performance and strength and conditioning.
Commenting on the announcement of this new coaching structure, Harlequins Director of Rugby Performance Billy Millard said: “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of such a strong staffing structure for our Women’s team.
“Harlequins has always led from the front when it comes to growing and evolving women’s rugby and these coaching and performance staff appointments are some of the most comprehensive within the Allianz Premier 15s.
“Amy is a talented coach who knows the Premier 15s and the women’s rugby landscape extremely well. We are dedicated to support her development into the best female coach in England and we are excited to have her lead our program into its new era.
“We are also pleased to welcome Brent to the programme alongside Amy and Ross within the coaching set-up. He is a very experienced coach and rugby technician who will support Amy, the players, and other staff in relation to high-end coaching detail across the program.”
On her return to The Stoop as Head Coach, Turner said: “I could not be more excited to start my new role with Harlequins. This is a Club that has shown clear intent and initiative to drive the women’s game. I am lucky enough to have seen the launch of The Game Changer as a player at The Stoop and seeing the team join Big Game each year has been fantastic for the profile of our game.
“I am hugely thankful to everyone I have had the fortune to work with at the RFU throughout the first few years of my coaching career and can’t wait to work alongside Brent, Ross, Matt and a fantastic playing group next season.”
