Meet the Coaches

tarquin@essex.ac.uk

Tarquin joined the Essex Blades coaching staff in 2006 after leaving Hertfordshire University. As an Offensive Lineman he played on the National Championship winning team of 2004 with the Hertfirdshire Hurricanes and has represented Great Britain Bulldogs on four occasions. He also coaches the Southern Allstars and Great Britain.
When joining the Blades he was the Offensive Line Coach in the 8-0 season which saw them beat the Hurricanes for the first time in their history. He then was promoted to Offensive Coordinator during his second season with the team.

He is also the Offensive Coordinator of the Colchester Gladiators where he has one of the most potent offences in the league. In one season his offence rushed for over 3700 yards and scoring 64 touchdowns in 12 games.

He also enjoys tennis, formula 1 and needle work

neil.o'hare@nationalexpress.com

Coach O'Hare took over from Coach Sharman as Head Coach for the 2005-6 season. Boasting a wealth of experience including winning three National titles (One as a player with the Gladiators and two as Head Coach of the now-defunct Tiptree Titans). Coach O'Hare has also been fortunate enough to be a two time winner of the Coach of the Year award.

After becoming aware of the Blades during the 2003 season Coach O'Hare became involved in an assistant capacity to Coach Sharman. Since his involvement began with the Blades he has seen the club change from being a winless "party team" to one where high expectations of success are now the norm.

Always keen to develop talent wherever it presents itself Coach O'Hare is happy to have the best coaching staff in college football with an ever improving pool of talented players.

Coach O'Hare enjoys most things in life but is particularly fond of moonlit strolls and kittens.

mroberts@level14media.com

Matt Roberts joined the Coaching staff of the Essex Blades after graduating from the team in 2003 after being a founding member. As a Defensive End he held for a long time the single season sack record and stepped into the role of Defensive Line Coach from his first year. After the departure of Sandy Francis, Roberts was promoted to Coordinator, where he boasts an impressive win/loss record with the unit being pivotal in their 8-0 season.

Coach Roberts is also head coach of the local senior league team, the Colchester Gladiators, where in two years he has turned a winless football team into Southern Champions and has an 18 win, 5 loss record including the post season; his work also earned him the prestigeous Coaching Associations 'Coach of the year' award.

He also enjoys fishing, boxing and walks by the sea in his spare time.

Matt joined the Essex Blades coaching staff officially in 2006, serving as QB's Coach for the undefeated 06-07 season, whilst also playing RB. He then served as Special Teams Coordinator in 07-08, before taking a year away from the Blades to setup and assume the Head Coaching position at Imperial College. Matt has rejoined us for the 09-10 season as our RB's Coach.

Matt played 6 seasons for the Blades, being selected to the Southern All-Star Team at RB on one occasion and the All-College Team at RB and WR on one occasion each. Matt is one of three Blades to have had his jersey number retired, with the #29 jersey being retired following the 07-08 season. He has also played for the Yorkshire Rams, Ipswich Cardinals and Colchester Gladiators of the British American Football League.

In his spare time he enjoys haute cuisine, a fine glass of Port and a variety of music, including classical and big band.

Adam joined the team back in 2006 where he became a familiar face both on Special Teams and the Offensive Line. He has played for the blades for 3 seasons and now has been given the task of player/coaching special teams.

He was voted in as President of the Essex Blades in his second year and has also served as Treasurer to both the Blades and University Sports Federation.