Moonlight steps away from the Spotlight

John Moonlight has today confirmed his retirement from rugby, effective immediately. The Canada Sevens captain will step away from the sport after nearly a decade in the spotlight, returning home to Ontario to pursue a career in firefighting.

After making his debut at the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens, Moonlight would go on to play in a record 65 HSBC Sevens Series events, his last coming in Hong Kong three weeks ago. Three Commonwealth Games tournaments, two Gold Medals at the Pan-Am Games, and a Rugby World Cup Sevens are also on his extraordinary resume. He was also selected to the official 2013-14 season HSBC Dream Team.

His achievements were not limited to the shortened game. Moonlight won 23 caps as a flanker with Canada’s Senior Men’s team, beginning in 2009 against Georgia and culminating in a trip to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Throughout his career Moonlight earned a reputation for his hard but fair play on the field, and also one of the sport’s true gentleman off it. As an ambassador for Canadian rugby and the Sevens Series there are few held in higher esteem worldwide.

The 30-year-old posted a statement on social media which can be read in its entirety below:

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“You are only a custodian to the jersey. You are given it to wear with pride. You don’t know if this could be your last chance to pull it on. Play as if you may never get a chance to pull it on again and when you’re done hand it back in. Know when you give it back that you have given everything.” – Kieran Crowley

The time has come for me to hand the jersey back for good. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in front of 80,000 screaming fans in Twickenham, facing a sea of green at Millennium Stadium in a World Cup, and playing in front of 43,000 Canadian fans on home soil. Rugby has allowed me to travel across the world playing in countries like Hong Kong, Australia, and even India. I am forever grateful for everything it has given me in life and leave knowing that I gave it all I had.

I want to thank my family who have been the biggest supporters throughout my career. They supported me when I packed up my life and moved across the country to chase a dream. Then, they showed up all across Canada, USA and the world continuing to show that support. My cousin David told me to try this sport out, and then convinced me to move across Canada and have a crack at making it. Without him, I never would have experienced any of this.

Thank you to my friends; I don’t know how many hours of sleep were lost staring at a computer screen in support but it never went unnoticed.

To everyone I pulled the red jersey on with – thank you. The relationships we’ve built and the memories we’ve created will last a lifetime. We have experienced some of the biggest highs in Canadian rugby and it was a pleasure getting to do so with you all.

Thank you to the coaching staff that have helped me get to where I am. Your influence made me into the best player I could be.

Thank you to the medical and physio staff that have kept me healthy over the years.

Thank you to Under Armour. Your support over the last 5 years has given me all the tool necessary to make a difference on and off the field.

Finally, thank you to all the fans. Without you, the sport wouldn’t exist. You have been behind the team and I since day one and we appreciate the continued support.

I look forward to starting my career as a firefighter in my home town of Pickering, Ontario. They have supported my career for so many years and I can’t wait to give back to the community that has given so much to me.