Warringah Rugby (Shute Shield Rugby)
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Warringahs sign former international to coaching ranks
Warringah Rugby Club has signed former Rat and English international flanker Michael Lipman as assistant coach for the 2014 season.
Lipman will work alongside returning first grade set piece coach Lachlan Fear and current Rats head coach Haig Sare, with Andrew Johnson continuing in his role as second grade coach.
Lipman, who was introduced to the players last week, says he is determined to help transform Warringah into a dominant force across all competitions.
"As coaches, we'll be guiding the players to really look at the end goal - winning the 2014 Club Championship - and challenge them to make the right choices to enable them to achieve that result. That means a commitment to training, a commitment to the club and a commitment to each other."
Having played alongside Lipman during his career, Sare is confident Lipman’s profile and qualities will suit the Warringah culture. "I believe he epitomises that toughness that we are wanting in a Rat Pack - that work ethic, that professionalism and with plenty of knowledge.
"Lippo has proved himself on the international stage as a player and I look forward to transferring that knowledge along with his passion for the club, to the 2014 playing group,” Sare said.
Lipman takes the role after a brief stint with the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club as first grade defensive coordinator and a mentor for the younger players.
Michael Lipman’s career spanned 12 years during which time the flanker represented Australia at Under 19 and 21 level before strong competition forced him to look abroad and he went on to win 10 England between 2004 and 2008. After stints at English premiership rivals Bristol and Bath, Lipman returned to Australia in 2009 and went on to play for the Warringah Rats in the 2010 Shute Shield season. After two seasons with the Melbourne Rebels, Lipman was forced to retire due to a series of injuries.