Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: WellingQuin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 11:42
AUSTRALIAN WILL WORK WITH HEAD OF RUGBY PAUL GUSTARD AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OFF-FIELD RUGBY OPERATIONS.
Harlequins is pleased to announce the appointment of Billy Millard as General Manager (Rugby).
Millard will work with Head of Rugby Paul Gustard and will be responsible for all aspects of off-field rugby operations at the Club including strength and conditioning, medical, data analysis, psychology, sports science, recruitment, Academy and women’s team, player welfare, budgeting and operations.
The Australian (48) brings extensive experience to the Club having worked as General Manager with USA Rugby and Cardiff Blues and from his senior coaching roles at elite level with the Australian Sevens, The University of Sydney, Melbourne Rebels, Connacht and Cardiff.
Commenting on his appointment Millard said: “It is a privilege to be joining a club with such a strong pedigree. Harlequins is a prestigious brand on and off the field which I’m looking forward to contributing to.
“I’m committed to delivering a high-performance environment for the players that translates into sustained on-field success. I am here to win and I look forward to helping make that happen.”
Harlequins’ Chief Executive David Ellis said: “Billy Millard arrives at Harlequins with a wealth of knowledge as a General Manager from his time at USA Rugby and Cardiff Blues. He impressed with his character and attitude and is the right guy to set us on the path to delivering the biggest prizes at Harlequins.
“Billy will work closely with our Head of Rugby Paul Gustard to produce an environment that breeds success and he is joining at an exciting moment for the Club. We believe our new management team will take a big step to helping us achieve our mission of taking Harlequins back to the top of English and European rugby.”
Harlequins has divided the role of Director of Rugby in two with the Head of Rugby focusing on the senior squad and the General Manager taking responsibility for enabling high-performance across the Club’s entire rugby department. Gustard and Millard will take up their appointments on July 2nd. Both will report to the Chief Executive.
Harlequins is pleased to announce the appointment of Billy Millard as General Manager (Rugby).
Millard will work with Head of Rugby Paul Gustard and will be responsible for all aspects of off-field rugby operations at the Club including strength and conditioning, medical, data analysis, psychology, sports science, recruitment, Academy and women’s team, player welfare, budgeting and operations.
The Australian (48) brings extensive experience to the Club having worked as General Manager with USA Rugby and Cardiff Blues and from his senior coaching roles at elite level with the Australian Sevens, The University of Sydney, Melbourne Rebels, Connacht and Cardiff.
Commenting on his appointment Millard said: “It is a privilege to be joining a club with such a strong pedigree. Harlequins is a prestigious brand on and off the field which I’m looking forward to contributing to.
“I’m committed to delivering a high-performance environment for the players that translates into sustained on-field success. I am here to win and I look forward to helping make that happen.”
Harlequins’ Chief Executive David Ellis said: “Billy Millard arrives at Harlequins with a wealth of knowledge as a General Manager from his time at USA Rugby and Cardiff Blues. He impressed with his character and attitude and is the right guy to set us on the path to delivering the biggest prizes at Harlequins.
“Billy will work closely with our Head of Rugby Paul Gustard to produce an environment that breeds success and he is joining at an exciting moment for the Club. We believe our new management team will take a big step to helping us achieve our mission of taking Harlequins back to the top of English and European rugby.”
Harlequins has divided the role of Director of Rugby in two with the Head of Rugby focusing on the senior squad and the General Manager taking responsibility for enabling high-performance across the Club’s entire rugby department. Gustard and Millard will take up their appointments on July 2nd. Both will report to the Chief Executive.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Jammy Git (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 11:46
Impossible. RugbyInsideLine said it was a done deal and Ben Ryan was the man.
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: blucherquin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 11:47
Quote:Jammy Git
Impossible. RugbyInsideLine said it was a done deal and Ben Ryan was the man.
They’re never wrong - must have changed his name.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: The Dead Baron (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 11:49
Meh.
Not meaning that to be rude, just...... *shrugs* A bit, well, whelmed, really. To be honest though, once the club announced the role split I was never going to be excited by this since I'm not sure how this impacts us a supporters. I'm pleased that the management set-up is sorting itself out, but for me bigger news consists of player signings and who if anyone within the current coaching set-up they'r egoing to replace (please God...).
Not meaning that to be rude, just...... *shrugs* A bit, well, whelmed, really. To be honest though, once the club announced the role split I was never going to be excited by this since I'm not sure how this impacts us a supporters. I'm pleased that the management set-up is sorting itself out, but for me bigger news consists of player signings and who if anyone within the current coaching set-up they'r egoing to replace (please God...).
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: HonkyTonk (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 11:54
Certanily qualified and fits the role the club laid out
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: blucherquin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:08
Quote:The Dead Baron
Meh.
Not meaning that to be rude, just...... *shrugs* A bit, well, whelmed, really. To be honest though, once the club announced the role split I was never going to be excited by this since I'm not sure how this impacts us a supporters. I'm pleased that the management set-up is sorting itself out, but for me bigger news consists of player signings and who if anyone within the current coaching set-up they'r egoing to replace (please God...).
I really don’t think we are going to be singing any players.
Training has started - moves all done.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: The Dead Baron (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:11
Quote:blucherquinQuote:The Dead Baron
Meh.
Not meaning that to be rude, just...... *shrugs* A bit, well, whelmed, really. To be honest though, once the club announced the role split I was never going to be excited by this since I'm not sure how this impacts us a supporters. I'm pleased that the management set-up is sorting itself out, but for me bigger news consists of player signings and who if anyone within the current coaching set-up they'r egoing to replace (please God...).
I really don’t think we are going to be singing any players.
Training has started - moves all done.
Yeah, totally agree, which is why I wasn't expecting much from this mysterious announcement. I do wonder what is going to happen to The Untouchables and whether or not Gustard will have a pre-season cull.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: HonkyTonk (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:13
I think there is a chance but I would not expect anyone "Big". Might not help us this season but I would be having a look at the U20 World Cup. Georgia as an example have some promising youngsters.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: T-Bone (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:16
Saw this rumoured a while ago. Can't say I've ever heard of him but sounds like he's qualified and has experience in this sort of role, rather than just coaching / DOR. Hopefully he'll prove a great appointment, so welcome Billy.
Was still hoping for Ryan, but it had gone very quiet, and thinking about it I'm not really sure how it would have worked with him and Gustard. I'm not sure Ryan, with his coaching style, would have been able to step back and let Gustard put his own stamp on the team and do the coaching while Ryan just did the GM stuff.
Anyway, main people now in place, Quins said look out for more announcements this week I think, unless I misread it. Some news on the others coaches would be welcome. Would be great to announce another signing or two, but can't see it. If no-one else comes in then presumably our squad is smaller next season? I still think we're light in second row and at centre.
Was still hoping for Ryan, but it had gone very quiet, and thinking about it I'm not really sure how it would have worked with him and Gustard. I'm not sure Ryan, with his coaching style, would have been able to step back and let Gustard put his own stamp on the team and do the coaching while Ryan just did the GM stuff.
Anyway, main people now in place, Quins said look out for more announcements this week I think, unless I misread it. Some news on the others coaches would be welcome. Would be great to announce another signing or two, but can't see it. If no-one else comes in then presumably our squad is smaller next season? I still think we're light in second row and at centre.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: blucherquin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:18
Interesting it doesn’t list coaching staff as his job
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: DOK. (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 12:42
I think David Ellis said both GM and DOR report directly to him. So if there's some sort of impasse between them, he gets to sort it out.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: samlee99 (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 13:27
Quote:The Dead BaronQuote:blucherquinQuote:The Dead Baron
Meh.
Not meaning that to be rude, just...... *shrugs* A bit, well, whelmed, really. To be honest though, once the club announced the role split I was never going to be excited by this since I'm not sure how this impacts us a supporters. I'm pleased that the management set-up is sorting itself out, but for me bigger news consists of player signings and who if anyone within the current coaching set-up they'r egoing to replace (please God...).
I really don’t think we are going to be singing any players.
Training has started - moves all done.
Yeah, totally agree, which is why I wasn't expecting much from this mysterious announcement. I do wonder what is going to happen to The Untouchables and whether or not Gustard will have a pre-season cull.
I suspect they will carry on posting their hate here.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Brown Bottle (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 13:46
Quote:samlee99
I suspect they will carry on posting their hate here.
You really ought to try reading threads before posting.
BB
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Cookie (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 14:23
Appointment is fine for me. Has anyone ever been ‘excited’ about an appointment for essentially a player recruitment/retention/admin role?? I’d say his CV does exactly what it say on the tin. Gustard was for more of a key appointment and it feels like we got that right.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: The Dead Baron (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 14:35
Totally agree Cookie.
On Facebook you suggested that Osbourne, Wiggy, and Minty are out the door?
On Facebook you suggested that Osbourne, Wiggy, and Minty are out the door?
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Cookie (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 14:40
Quote:The Dead Baron
Totally agree Cookie.
On Facebook you suggested that Osbourne, Wiggy, and Minty are out the door?
Yes, it’s been said elsewhere here and my information confirmed the same. Not sure if MM/NE/AJ have all avoided the chop as well - I guess someone has to be around until PG and his people arrive.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Banstead Quin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 15:16
Good points T-Bone, it would have been tough for Gustard with another Head Coach type in the other role and could have led to friction and @#$%& (just like on here really).
At least he can just focus on getting the coaching and strategy sorted without looking over his shoulder.
Maybe he wants to assess the squad with his own style of play before he makes any decisions on signings. Let’s be honest, we’ve all felt that this squad can give a lot more than it has done recently.
As for the coaches, they can’t expect to be retained after last season but again, if Gustard wants to run his eye over them first, so be it.
At least he can just focus on getting the coaching and strategy sorted without looking over his shoulder.
Maybe he wants to assess the squad with his own style of play before he makes any decisions on signings. Let’s be honest, we’ve all felt that this squad can give a lot more than it has done recently.
As for the coaches, they can’t expect to be retained after last season but again, if Gustard wants to run his eye over them first, so be it.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: Grins (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 15:21
Quote:HonkyTonk
I think there is a chance but I would not expect anyone "Big". Might not help us this season but I would be having a look at the U20 World Cup. Georgia as an example have some promising youngsters.
Agree re Georgia - thought their 9 looked impressive for one.
Re GM, looks a sensible appointment. My only negative would be that he appears to have moved around a lot.
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: blucherquin (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 15:54
Quote:GrinsQuote:HonkyTonk
I think there is a chance but I would not expect anyone "Big". Might not help us this season but I would be having a look at the U20 World Cup. Georgia as an example have some promising youngsters.
Agree re Georgia - thought their 9 looked impressive for one.
Re GM, looks a sensible appointment. My only negative would be that he appears to have moved around a lot.
Not that much really when family was behind most recent
Re: Billy Millard to become Quins General Manager
Posted by: HonkyTonk (IP Logged)
Date: 12 June, 2018 16:07
Plus, from reading online it seems most have been down to his choice, Stepping up the ladder.
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