Quins Appoint Latham Tawhai As Assistant Coach
Harlequins have bolstered their coaching staff with the appointment of former London Skolars boss Latham Tawhai as Assistant Coach.
Tawhai, last year's National League Two Coach of the Year, will join Head Coach Brian McDermott and assistant Rob Powell at The Stoop next season.
Tawhai has been involved in rugby league in the UK for eleven years. He signed for Keighley in 1996 and went on to play for Hunslet, Rochdale, Hull KR and Doncaster, before joining Skolars as Head Coach in 2005. He also represented New Zealand in the 1996 World Nines tournament.
Tawhai joins several other former Skolars staff in making the move across the capital. Quins Community Manager Kurt Pittman, utility forward Joe Mbu and former Quins Community Coach Tim Gee were all involved at the north London club prior to joining Harlequins.
Harlequins RL Chief Executive Paul Brown said: "It's a continuing reflection of the Skolars' growth as a club. Watching them since 2003, they've built a thriving semi-pro club in National League Two, developed a strong community rugby league programme and made great affiliations across London, and are a great force in rugby league now.
"Latham's full-time appointment in 2005 was another example of Hector McNeill and his board's foresight. We are very grateful to Hector and the Skolars for their handling of Latham's situation, and we look forward to working with them on the Capital Challenge and other projects to continue to develop London rugby league."
Since turning professional in 2003, London Skolars have consistently set the benchmark for player and community development work in the capital. In 2007 they narrowly missed out on the playoffs, and were the only National League Two side to employ a full-time coach in Tawhai.
They have also established the Middlesex 9s tournament, which is now an annual international event, and have worked with children in over 50 schools in north London to bring rugby league to a new audience and create a growing pool of potential players.
Quins RL Head Coach Brian McDermott said: "I've known Latham since I've been down here in London and, when we had a joint training session with the Skolars last year, I got to know of his qualities.
"I've been looking for another coaching assistant for a year but I was waiting for the right person to come along. Latham is a quality person and a quality coach, and I want people like that at our club."
Latham Tawhai said: "I'm buzzing about getting started. I'll miss the lads at Skolars. They're a great bunch, but I hope to get across and see them every now and then.
"Joining Quins is a great opportunity to be able to do an apprenticeship under someone like Brian McDermott. He's got a very good reputation. I spent a couple of days down there during my time at Skolars making some observations, and I was very impressed with the way things were being done. Mac seems to have a good mix of players - some young, exciting blokes coming through, and plenty of experience to go with them.
"I'm looking forward to being able to learn and develop as a coach, working alongside everyone and just being in that environment. Hopefully I can bring plenty to the table and help make Quins a force in Super League.
"I'm very thankful to the Skolars for the opportunity they gave me to be a Head Coach and for being so understanding in allowing me to move. I certainly learnt a huge amount in my time there.
"I think I've developed a good understanding of what it takes for a team from London to compete, the preparation needed to travel every other week, and the mental skills needed to put things in to practice."
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