Tony Diprose to leave Harlequins at end of the season

Harlequins has today announced that Tony Diprose, the Club’s Academy and Global Development Director will leave at the end of the current season when his contract expires.

Diprose started his career at Harlequins as a player in 2001 and went on to make 123 first XV appearances before moving into coaching and overseeing the development of one of the country’s most successful Academies with a continual production line of international players.

As a coach, first under Dean Richards and then Conor O’Shea he helped the Club deliver its most successful period in the professional era winning the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011, the Aviva Premiership in 2012 and the LV= Cup in 2013.  

In his role as Academy Director, Diprose has overseen the Harlequins Academy, maintaining its position as the best in the country through the development and provision of a wealth of talented players to the national and international stage including British & Irish Lions and Olympians.

More recently, whilst continuing to oversee the Academy programme and identify international opportunities for Harlequins, he has led on the creation and development of the elite Harlequins Ladies programme, which has seen the Club rise to the top of the domestic women’s game, through the establishment of a strong squad which now includes multiple international players.

Commenting on his departure, Tony said: “I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to contribute to this Club for 18 years come June. I have hugely enjoyed working with everybody at Harlequins, from the players to the staff and the supporters, but for me on both a professional and personal level, the end of this season is the right time to look for a new challenge.

“It is great to see the Men’s team back performing well under Paul Gustard. Seeing a forward pack underpinned by Academy graduates including the likes of Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Will Collier, Jack Clifford and James Chisholm alongside the emerging Academy talents in the backline of Joe Marchant, Marcus Smith, Cadan Murley and Gabs Ibitoye makes me hugely proud to have been part of their development.

“On the Women’s side I am completely committed to doing everything I can to help us regain silverware this season as the Tyrrells Premier XV’s season approaches its conclusion and making sure that the programme is set up for continued future success.

“I will say my goodbyes when the season is over.”

Harlequins Chief Executive David Ellis added: “Tony has been a wonderful servant to our great Club over the past 18 years and I would like to personally thank him for all his efforts throughout that time.

“We talk at Harlequins of being a custodian of our position and being committed to passing it on in a better place. There is no doubt that throughout Tony’s work he has achieved this, and he should be rightfully proud of his successes.

“We would like to wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”