Former Wales Women’s head coach, Warren Abrahams, tragically passed away at the age of 43 while coaching the Belgium national women’s sevens team in a tournament in Nairobi, Kenya. The Belgium Rugby Federation announced the heartbreaking news, stating that all necessary measures have been taken to support the players and staff during this difficult time. The team has returned to Belgium and will receive psychological support to help them cope with the loss of Abrahams.
Abrahams, originally from the Western Cape in South Africa, had a notable rugby career playing for Durbanville‐Bellville and Stellenbosch University before transitioning into coaching. Throughout his coaching career, he had stints with the USA sevens, the England Sevens men’s team, and the Harlequins academy. Harlequins, his former club, paid tribute to Abrahams on social media, highlighting his impact on the club and the wider rugby community. His passion, leadership, and commitment to player development were evident during his time with the Harlequins Academy from 2011 to 2019.
During his tenure as Wales Women’s head coach in 2020, Abrahams took over from Rowland Phillips but faced challenges as the team went winless during the Six Nations amid the Coronavirus pandemic. After less than nine months, Abrahams and the Welsh Rugby Union parted ways. The cause of his sudden death in Nairobi remains undisclosed, leaving the rugby community in mourning over the loss of a talented coach and mentor. Warren Abrahams’ legacy will live on through the players he influenced and the impact he made on the sport he loved.
