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Jamie Cudmore has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach of Rugby Canada’s National Development Program, the Pacific Pride, with immediate effect. The decision comes in the wake of social media comments by Cudmore, since deleted, that were aimed at members of the Women’s Sevens team.
Cudmore, who is also out as Assistant Coach of the National Senior Men’s XVs team, appeared to be supporting China’s victory over Japan that ultimately knocked Canada out of the medal rounds. He also appeared to be taking aim at comments made by Women’s Sevens player Charity Williams prior to the start of the Olympic Games.
“A year ago, our team would be sitting here solely talking about the game. But as we know, we are more than athletes. This is what it looks like when you decolonize your space. I’ve been on this team for eight years and from my experience, I’ve never felt like there is a true place for me here.
“But sitting here today, I can say I trust my teammates are open to listening and learning. My hope is our team continues a legacy of creating safe and empowering spaces and organizations across Turtle Island and the world.”
Williams has been outspoken in her support of Indigenous rights in light of recent discoveries of unmarked burial grounds at the sites of former Residential Schools within Canada. ‘Turtle Island’ refers to the name used by some Indigenous peoples to represent the continent of North America.
Screenshots of Cudmore’s posts were attached to a response from Williams on social media.
Rugby Canada immediately condemned the comments made by Cudmore and called an emergency meeting of the organization’s leadership to discuss actions.
In the meantime Cudmore offered an apology, referencing his close friendship with former teammate John Tait. Tait was forced to resign as Head Coach of the Senior Women’s Sevens program earlier this year after claims of bullying and harassment by 37 past and present members of the team.
The decision to fire Cudmore came from Rugby Canada on Friday evening. It included statements from CEO Allen Vansen, “We are taking this matter very seriously and concluded that immediate action must be taken,” as well as Board Chair Sally Dennis, “Rugby Canada’s core values, including integrity and respect, must be exemplified in all our rugby programs and we are determined to promote a healthy, inclusive culture now and in future.”
While Cudmore’s comments have been widely condemned on social media, there remains deep divisions within the Canadian rugby community on the handling of Tait’s removal. An independent investigation into the matter concluded that the complaints against the long-time Head Coach were unfounded based on Rugby Canada’s existing policies.
Rugby Canada opted not to release the investigator’s report citing a policy of confidentiality. A statement from Vansen in early May supported Rugby Canada’s position to keep the document sealed.
“We continue to recognize the interests of both the Complainant and the Respondent in keeping any investigative matters confidential. As is our practice, if new matters should become known related to this program or any other Rugby Canada performance team, we will assess expediently and act accordingly.”
At the same time Tait said he would support the public release of the report.
“I am unable to speak to any of the details of the claims and the unequivocal findings of the independent investigator. However, should Rugby Canada wish to release it all publicly, I would fully support them in doing so.
“I know that if the full truth came out, people will see that I have done nothing to warrant my behaviour being described as abusive in any way. It is shameful and beyond misleading for these athletes to be portraying themselves as victims in regards to how I or the program treated them.”
Current Women’s Sevens captain Ghislaine Landry, who was part of the team that won a Bronze Medal under Tait’s leadership in 2016, released a statement expressing her disappointment with the report’s findings and placed the blame on the organization’s policy at the time.
“The national team athletes have shown true courage in coming forward to shine a light on what they have experienced in an effort to bring about meaningful change to their sport.
“We followed the procedures outlined in Rugby Canada’s policy, which was put in place in 2013. We feel that this process failed to protect us and did not acknowledge the abuse and harassment that we believe we suffered.”
Vansen acknowledged Landry’s reaction and indicated that the policy has since been updated.
“We recognize that the players are frustrated and dismayed with the conclusion of the investigation. There is an ongoing shift regarding what is considered to be appropriate behavior in sport, and it is important that Rugby Canada keeps current with these changes.”
Former national team member Frédérique Rajotte, who was among those who signed the formal complaint document, directed her criticism towards the organization itself. She claimed that a letter from her parents addressed to Rugby Canada calling for action in 2014 was ignored.
On Friday, Rajotte’s father applauded the decision to fire Cudmore but again took aim at Rugby Canada’s leadership in a response on social media.
Not all past members have thrown their support behind the complaint. Perhaps the most prominent name absent is 2016 Olympic captain Jen Kish. While Kish also supported Rugby Canada’s action to remove Cudmore, she released a strongly-worded statement claiming that members of the current team’s leadership group have also contributed to the team’s environment.
Other criticism has been leveled at the team’s performance at the Olympics. After finishing 3rd in each of the past two World Sevens Series campaigns, the team was widely expected to compete for a medal in Tokyo. Defeats to Fiji and France in the pool stage saw them miss out on the Quarter Finals and they would ultimately finish in 9th place.
Landry conceded that the team was not at their best in Tokyo and that the events leading up the tournament had ‘taken its toll.’ As with Williams, Landry said she was proud of the team’s performance nonetheless and insists the team remains united.
Despite continuing calls for Rugby Canada to release the independent investigator’s report into complaints about Tait, even with names redacted, to date it has not been made public. A statement from the organization to the Canadian Press indicated that not all parties had agreed to its release.
“In keeping with current practices, the policy states that decisions that result in sanctions may be shared in some instances. Publicly disclosing an investigative report would not be considered without the consent of all parties, as Rugby Canada continues to recognize the difficulties of coming forward in matters of this nature.”
A statement from Rugby Canada following Tait’s resignation said that the organization would commission “an inclusive and transparent review of performance rugby programs” following the conclusion of the Olympic Games. In Friday’s statement of Cudmore’s removal Rugby Canada reiterated their commitment to beginning the review process “starting next month.”
