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Harlequins' chief executive David Ellis calls it quits
Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins have announced that David Ellis will step down as its chief executive. Ellis said: “I have decided to step down as chief executive. After eight fantastic years, it has been a very hard decision as I love both this job and this club. Having said that I recognised when I joined that I was only a temporary custodian.
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“Now is the right time for me to seek a new challenge and to make way for someone to take us on the next stage of our journey. Harlequins is in great shape and I believe our brightest and best times lie ahead. I’ve experienced both incredible highs and heart-breaking lows, but such is the essence of the sport we love.
“Throughout my time at Harlequins, I have been humbled and inspired by our extraordinary people. They make this club the special place it is. I’m immensely grateful to them all for having had the opportunity to work with them.
“I’m also extremely appreciative to our supporters, our commercial partners, our local clubs and our schools who work tirelessly and passionately towards helping us build a stronger and better Harlequins. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this wonderful club.”
Harlequins chairman David Morgan added. “David has been an outstanding chief executive and has made a tremendous contribution. From the outset, he recognised, embraced and strengthened the Harlequin values that we all love and which make us unique.
David Ellis has stepped down from his role at Harlequins.
Full story: https://t.co/GmIaSYoWTq pic.twitter.com/ZjAIDk3FED
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) July 25, 2019
“David has nurtured sponsorship relationships with world-class commercial partners, established our relationship with New Zealand Rugby and driven our digital presence. He has overseen the formation of the Harlequin Foundation and championed parity for our women’s team.
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“As a result of David’s leadership match days at The Stoop are enjoyed by many and the annual Big Game continues to be the best-attended club rugby fixture in the world. He has also provided valuable input on our plans for a new stadium.
“These are exciting times for rugby and for Harlequins and we agree with David that the best times lie ahead. We are determined to improve our performance and succeed on the field and in addition, to achieve commercial sustainability.
“David will remain with the club while we look for his successor. He will, therefore, help get the 2019/20 season off to a strong start and intends to step down after Big Game 12 in December. Under David’s leadership, Harlequins has achieved much and we respect his decision to move on. He leaves with our sincere thanks and with our best wishes for his and his family’s future endeavours.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments