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Rugby Canada have revised their talent identification program in search of new players domestic and abroad to support their national teams. Led by former international flanker Adam Kleeberger, the program expands on work initiated by Director of Athletic Performance Matt Barr and former Player Development Manager Ken Goodland.
An online database using The Sports Office athlete management system will allow coaches of all national team programs to monitor players of interest. Helping to populate those lists will be a network of more than 50 scouts across the country that includes senior provincial leads.
Notable is the addition of former Bath and England age-grade lock Scott Hobson as a UK-based contact to help identify players abroad who are Canadian eligible. Current examples include Sale Sharks hooker Ewan Ashman, born in Toronto, and new Arrows scrumhalf Jason Higgins who qualifies via his father.
Kleeberger is also currently an Assistant Coach with the Pacific Pride, Rugby Canada’s Langford-based development side. His talent ID work will benefit both the men’s and women’s programs as they build towards future World Cups and Olympic competition.
