SUFC are delighted to appoint, Teki Tuipulotu as the Club’s new Director of Women’s Rugby and Junior Development.
Teki who made 50 appearances for Tonga between 1994-2003, including three Rugby World Cup campaigns, is now a highly regarded coach, having experience at all levels of the game including Schools rugby, Club rugby and with the Tongan National team (Ikale Tahi) as Head Coach of 7s and XV’s Assistant Coach.
Teki’s professional European playing experience at Leeds (78 caps between 1996-99) and Worcester (58 caps between 1999-02) provided great exposure to international coaches, training systems and game models. Teki has taken these experiences and given back to the game in differing coaching roles including; 1st Grade Head Coach at Penrith (2013-15), Director of Rugby Hills Sports High School – schoolboys & schoolgirls rugby (2018-current), and Rugby Director at St Andrews Cathedral School – schoolboys and schoolgirls rugby (2019-current).
Teki is no stranger to SUFC, joining for the 2021 season supporting the development of players and growth of both the Women’s XV’s and 7’s programs as well as Head Coach of the Women’s 2nd XV. In 2022, Teki was appointed Head Coach of our Women’s program.
Teki spoke of his excitement at starting this role with SUFC: “SUFC and the Women’s rugby program are the most prestige and elite in the country. The Club is run with complete professionalism and the results over the past few years speak for themselves. To be appointed Women’s and Junior Director of SUFC’s program is certainly a great honor and privilege. I am grateful and blessed to be given this opportunity. They are big shoes to fill, but I will relish the challenge and fully accept the responsibility to develop the team collectively, as well as the individual players to ensure the continued growth of the next generation of women and junior players.
As the Director and Head Coach, I’m very passionate and orthodox, I have coached at many levels of the game over the past 20 years and see this appointment as one of my greatest achievements. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with the Club, while also learning from the quality coaches and staff at hand.
With great mentors and support from both the seniors and juniors of SUFC, I am sure that the role will be a very fulfilling, challenging but a satisfied one in 2023.”
SUFC’s Director of Rugby, Nick Ryan commented on the appointment, “Teki has shown in his time at the club a real passion for our women’s program and junior pathways and we are delighted to have him on board to continue to build on the legacy that has been built since the inception of the role a few years ago”.
Teki will start as Director of Women’s Rugby and Junior Development on Wednesday 23rd November 2023.