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The search has begun for a new Head Coach for Canada’s senior men’s sevens team. Rugby Canada announced on Wednesday that Liam Middleton would not be renewed following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. It comes as no surprise that Middleton will not be returning after a dismal season on the HSBC Sevens Series that saw Canada finishing in 13th place overall, ahead of only Russia and Portugal among core teams, and failing to appear in a single Cup quarter final.
Middleton joined the team in December of 2014 after previous coach Geraint John departed to take over the Australian sevens program. The Welshman has since returned home to take up a role as Elite Coach Development Manager, and was most recently promoted to Head of Rugby Performance at the WRU. John had guided the team to a 6th place overall finish prior to his departure.
Previously a coach of Bristol in the Greene King IPA Championship, Middleton did not find success with the English club and was let go in March of 2013. He had also led the national 7s side of his native Zimbabwe, a team that has never enjoyed core status on the HSBC circuit.
