Warren Abrahams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981 or 1982 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Died | (aged 43) Nairobi, Kenya |
| Occupation | Rugby union coach |
| Known for | Head coach of the Wales women's national rugby union team |
Warren Abrahams (1981 or 1982 – 10 October 2025) was a South African born rugby union coach who served as head coach of the Wales women’s national team from November 2020 to July 2021 and later led Belgium’s women’s sevens programme.[1] He was the first Black national team head coach in Welsh rugby.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Abrahams grew up in Durbanville in Cape Town and played club rugby for Durbanville Bellville before representing Stellenbosch University, commonly known as Maties.[4] He attended Stellenbosch on a scholarship and later moved to the United Kingdom in his twenties to pursue coaching opportunities.[5]
Coaching career
After playing, Abrahams began a developmental pathway in England and joined Harlequins, working in the club academy structure between 2011 and 2019.[2][6] During this period, he also held roles within international sevens set ups, contributing to programmes with Germany and Lithuania.[5]
In late 2019, he moved to the United States to become assistant coach with the USA Women’s Sevens, relocating to California before the programme was disrupted by financial restructuring and the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] He returned to Britain in 2020 and on 18 November that year was appointed Wales women’s head coach on a three year contract, becoming the first Black national team head coach in Welsh rugby.[7] His tenure encompassed the 2021 Women’s Six Nations campaign before he left the post by mutual agreement in July 2021.[8]
Following his Wales spell, Abrahams continued in high performance and skills development, including school and academy coaching in England and specialist consulting in the women’s game.[9] He later worked as a consultant with Brazil’s women’s sevens programme before taking charge of Belgium’s women’s sevens side in 2025.[10]
Personal life and death
Abrahams spoke of relocating with his family to California when he joined USA Women’s Sevens, later returning to the United Kingdom as he pursued new roles.[5] He founded Rugby Creative, a coaching and skills initiative through which he shared development methods and mentoring approaches alongside his professional posts.[11]
Abrahams died in Nairobi on 10 October 2025, while with Belgium at the Safari Sevens. He was 43.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Abrahams becomes Wales' first Black head coach, takes over women's team". Reuters. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Former Wales head coach, Warren Abrahams, dies aged 43". ESPN. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Belgium rugby coach dies at Safari Sevens in Nairobi". Nation. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "SA coach dies at 43". SA Rugby Magazine. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d Felstead, Alan Dymock (23 June 2020). "Warren Abrahams wants job that "sets my soul on fire" after parting with USA". Rugby World. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Ex Wales and Harlequins coach Warren Abrahams dies aged 43". RugbyPass. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Warren Abrahams appointed Wales Women head coach". Sky Sports. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Warren Abrahams: Wales Women head coach leaves with immediate effect after less than nine months in charge". Sky Sports. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Former Wales head coach Warren Abrahams passes away suddenly aged 43". Ruck. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Former Wales women head coach Abrahams dies aged 43". Yahoo Sports. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Tributes pour in following South African born international coach's passing". Rugby365. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
