Former Wales Women’s head coach, Warren Abrahams, has sadly passed away at the age of 43. Abrahams was coaching the Belgium national women’s sevens team during a tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, when he suddenly died. The Belgium Rugby Federation announced the tragic news, stating that all necessary support measures have been put in place for the players and staff. The team has returned to Belgium and will receive ongoing psychological assistance to help them cope with the loss.
The cause of Abrahams’ death has not been disclosed. Originally from the Western Cape in South Africa, Abrahams played rugby for Durbanville-Bellville and Stellenbosch University before transitioning into coaching. He had coaching stints with Wales Women, USA sevens, the England Sevens men’s team, and the Harlequins academy.
Harlequins, his former club, expressed their shock and sorrow over his passing, highlighting his significant contributions during his time with the academy from 2011 to 2019. The club praised Abrahams’ passion, leadership, and dedication to player development, acknowledging his impact on both Harlequins and the broader rugby community.
Abrahams took over as Wales Women’s head coach in 2020 but resigned less than nine months later after a challenging period that saw the team struggle in the Six Nations amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Both Abrahams and the WRU parted ways following his tenure.
