Wellington Lions Head Coach Leo Crowley confirms he will step down following Lions NPC Victory
Wellington Lions Head Coach Leo Crowley has revealed he will step down following the Lions Bunnings Warehouse NPC victory against Canterbury on Saturday.
He has been Head Coach of the Lions since 2020 and prior to that was Assistant Coach for one year, underneath then Head Coach, Chris Gibbes.
Crowley said he didn’t know what was next for him after he steps down as coach, but for now the focus was on heading north to his home in Taranaki to be with his partner Leonie and closer to family and friends.
"After being involved in the Lions for the past four seasons and being a part of the group that brought home the title, I do feel it's the right time to stand down. I think it’s a great time for someone else to come in and enhance the legacy of this team."
Speaking about stepping down, Crowley said he'd enjoyed his time as Head Coach.
"I've been thinking about it for a while now.
“One of the things as a coach is to make sure you're doing the right thing for the team. This team has had an incredible season. They’ve worked hard and really put in the work to connect on and off the field and play with purpose. The results reflect this groups commitment and work ethic to make their team successful, so all kudos to the team and wider management.
"You can't do this job by yourself. I’ve had an incredible team coaching alongside me, with Greg Halford, Tamati Ellison and Paul Tito," said Crowley.
“Their combined coaching skillset has really lifted this team's ability to perform to its present level, and we’ve had so much fun along the way. I will miss these guys for sure.
“Every Head Coach needs a great manager and in Mila Poutoa, Wellington and I have had the best. His ability to remain calm and lead this team to all our seasons success after a slow start is a testament to the Mana that Mila holds within our Lions group. When you see a tear in Mila’s eyes last Saturday night in Christchurch you realise how much our success means to everyone.
“I’d like to thank everyone in Wellington Rugby who has supported me over this four-year journey. To bow out with the Trophy cabinet full is obviously very rewarding and a result that we will always treasure,” said Crowley.
Crowley guided the Lions on a 10-match winning streak this season, their longest winning streak since 1987.
He said whoever replaced him would no doubt help take the Lions to another level and next year will be so exciting as the team defends the Ranfurly Shield.
Praise for Crowley:
Wellington Rugby Football Union CEO, Matt Evans, said Crowley would leave the job as "a coach who has added to the Lions legacy".
"He has played a critical role in guiding a truly remarkable Lions side this year, and we wish him all the very best for whatever is next.
"It’s been a four-year journey for Leo. It was an easy decision to move him from Assistant Coach to Head Coach, and whilst he didn’t get the results, he wanted those first two covid-effected seasons, it proved right in year three. On his watch the Lions brought home 10 straight wins, the Ranfurly Sheild, and the 2022 NPC crown - a remarkable run which will take some beating.
“Crowley was always quick to deflect any praise, but his Lions legacy will be the way he and his management team put complete trust in the players and in the process provided the opportunity and environment for the players to achieve their full potential on the provincial stage,” said Evans.