Walsh to step down as women's 7s coach
  Story By Murray Wenzel     

Wednesday, 10 January 2018: Australian women's rugby sevens coach Tim Walsh will end a five-season tenure in charge after April's Commonwealth Games.

Tim Walsh will end his time as Australian women's rugby sevens coach following April's Commonwealth Games.

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The 38-year-old has been at the helm for five seasons, overseeing an Olympic gold medal performance in 2016 and subsequent World Series title later that year.

Australia, who cruised to a series-opening win in Dubai in December, will be among the favourites at San Francisco's World Cup later this year.

But, in a sport that now revolves around the Olympic calendar, Walsh says the time is right to step aside.

"I believe every job has a shelf life and as a group we've achieved the pinnacle of success in our sport," he said.

"I move on with a heavy heart but I know that the timing is right for the program to progress and for me to explore new challenges."

Current assistant John Manenti will take the reins at end of April and pilot the side through the World Cup, with a new coach expected to take over ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Australia will contest the Sydney leg of the World Series later this month, before a Commonwealth Games swan song on the Gold Coast for Walsh.

"I'll depart the program leaving it in a very healthy position, with world class players, pathways for our elite development group and importantly, specialised and experienced sevens coaches and management staff," he said.

"I would never have imagined how this opportunity would transpire; an Olympic gold medal, a World Series championship, the growth of a new genre and era in women's contact sport as well as lifelong friendships."

Manenti has won a Shute Shield premiership with Eastwood, coached NRC outfit Greater Sydney Rams last year and spent time with the men's sevens program in 2015 as set piece and contact coach.