My single proudest moment at the Lions was having being the coach of the 2004 Vodacom Cup team winning against the likes of Rassie Erasmus, Heyneke Meyer and Pieter de Villiers. But I must admit I love every single moment of seeing players excel and enjoy playing the game of rugby within our red and white colours, especially kids from schools and clubs in urban areas as well as in our townships.

During my career at the Lions I have realized how special it is that we can afford our junior players the opportunity to pursue studies whilst playing rugby. Some of those that stands out for me are players that became Springboks later on like Willem Alberts, Heinke van der Merwe, Brian Mujati, Jano Vermaak, Bryan Habana, Jean Deysel, Ricky January, Rudy Paige and Elton Jantjies. Most of them were also full-time students completing their studies at university.

Another highlight for me was winning the Vodacom Cup for the third time in a row – the only union with that accomplishment. The Vodacom Cup team of 2004 was the only unbeaten team that went on to winning the title.

I have been fortunate, in my role as Head of Junior Rugby in 2004 and doing recruitment of our junior players while also coaching the Under 20 and 21 teams that I helped identify talented players like Hacjivah Dyaimani, Madosh Tambwe, Victor Sekekete, Nkosinathi Masuku and Christian Humphreys through our development program.

And that is why it is my wish that people will see the Lions as a company with resilience which is always looking at ways to improve themselves.

Timmy’s journey in rugby:

• First team coach at Gerrit du Plessis Secondary in Riversdale from 1990 until 2001.
• Coach SWD Eagles U18 Academy teams from 1994-1998.
• Regional Development Officer at S.W.D. from 1994-1998.
• Vodacom Backline Coach of SWD Eagles in 2000.
• Technical Analyst SWD Eagles Currie Cup team 2000.
• Coach of the SWD-Eagles Craven Week Team at the 2001 Craven Week.
• SA School`s Coach in 2001.
• Backline Coach of the SA U/19-team at the FIRA World Cup in Chile in 2001 (that team included players like Fourie du Preez, Ricky January, Dewey Swartbooi, Lafras Uys, Bobby Joubert, Nel Fourie and the late Francois Swart).
• Technical Analyst with the Cats in 2002 and 2003
• Technical Advisor Golden Lions Currie Cup Teams in 2002 and 2003.
• Technical Analyst SA U/21 team 2002 & 2003 with Jake White.
• Became Head of Lions Junior Rugby in 2004 (doing recruitment of our junior players and coaching the U/20 and U/21 teams as well as the Vodacom Cup team).
• SA U/21-selector from 2006 till 2008.
• Became a World Rugby Educator in 2008 who facilitates coach`s development.
• Lions Super Rugby Backline Coach in 2009.
• Boksmart Trainer from 2012.
• Golden Lions Boksmart Coordinator from 2012
• Manager: Training, Education and Development from 2012.