Harlequins hands over contract to Academy product Charlie Mathews – Rugby News
English professional Rugby Union Club, Harlequins Rugby, has recently given a professional senior club contract to their Academy player, Charlie Mathews. Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of the second row forward in a statement released on
their website on Wednesday, September 14.
Harlequins Academy Manager, Tony Diprose, has expressed his delight on the inclusion of the young, talented lock. According to a statement released on the club’s official website on Wednesday, September 14, Diprose has termed Mathews professional contract
as a reward for this hard work. He said, “Charlie has worked really hard over the last few seasons and he is now gaining the rewards."
Charlie Matthews has expressed his pleasure and satisfaction on signing his first full-time professional deal with the Quins. He added that because of recent initiatives taken by the coaching staff and the management, the club is going in the right direction
and he is happy to become a full-time member of the club.
Talking to the club’s website, Mathews added, “I have wanted to be a full time rugby player for as long as I can remember and there is no better place to be than here at Quins.”
The 20-year-old Mathews is part of the Harlequins Academy set up for last two seasons and was also attending Loughborough University, from where he recently graduated. Commenting on the work load he said, “I really enjoyed my time at Loughborough but it
wasn't easy jumping between A League, University rugby and England U20s, along with having to fit in my University work.”
Mathews has also represented England at Under-18s and Under-20s level. He was part of the England’s under-21s side, which lost to the Baby Blacks in the final of the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) 2011 Junior World Championship (JWC).
Mathews made his Aviva Premiership debut for the Harlequins in their 2011/12 season opener against the London Irish, in which he came off from the bench to make his debut. He has expressed his desire to work hard and become a permanent member of the squad.
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