Notes from the North

Rugby Canada held a semi-annual planning meeting with the provincial unions this past weekend in Halifax. While there has not been any earth-shattering news, here are a few tidbits from there and elsewhere around the Canadian rugby-verse.

NO PRO RUGBY FOR CANADA

Left out of yesterday’s announcement that Pro Rugby would be starting in the United States was any involvement from Rugby Canada. With several important management positions still to be filled and a shortage of guarantees from the competition regarding contracts and franchise control, there will not be a Canadian-based team in 2016.

With most of Canada’s senior players now either playing professionally overseas or tied up with the sevens program preparing for Olympic qualification, don’t expect to see many – if any – Canadian players on the initial team rosters. Pending the outcome of the inaugural season that could change significantly for 2017, with sides in Vancouver and Toronto most desirable, but any involvement has been put on the shelf for the time being.

WANTED – NEW CEO, CHAIRMAN, HP MANAGER

With long-time CEO Graham Brown now officially departed for Canadian Interuniversity Sport, current CMO Mark Lemmon has stepped up into the position for the interim. The search for a permanent replacement has begun but don’t expect an appointment until the 2nd quarter for 2016.

There are changes coming to the board of governors, most notably a new chairperson, with the term of current chairman Pat Aldous approaching the end. Nominations for positions are being made now and will be determined at the next AGM.

Jim Dixon has been installed as the GM, replacing Mike Chu, since June. One of his tasks at the moment is to find a high performance manager to fill the vacancy left by Steve Lancaster’s very sneaky exit for New Zealand netball in December. The position has been publicly advertised since April, meaning a full year will have elapsed with nobody in place by the time the new one is found.

NEW FUNDING FOR WOMEN’S PROGRAM

Sponsorship and new business revenue are up in 2015, but there will still be a $5 increase to the national registration fee, with the new income intended to fund the national senior women’s program. The program had been under fire in recent months for being pay to play despite Canada’s hugely successful World Cup final performance in 2014.

CROWLEY STAYS FOR AMERICAS CUP

Head coach Kieran Crowley remains – for now. His contract expires in June, so he will continue to lead the team during the inaugural Americas Rugby Cup tournament at the very least. A full review of the World Cup program will be taking place soon, with nine individuals named to take part – Aldous, Lemmon, and Dixon will lead the way with Peter Horne from World Rugby also involved and prominent Rugby Canada names Rick Bourne, Gord Sneddon, Pat Parfrey, Mark Lawson, and Mike James. Following the review, the group will make recommendations on the ‘strategic direction and investment’ of team going forward.

The new tournament kicks off in February, but Rugby Canada have still not publicly announced their involvement despite preparations being well underway already. No word yet on who Crowley’s support staff might be with at least two of his key World Cup coaches (Leo Crowley, Neil Barnes) already departed for Super Rugby contracts.

GILLIS APPOINTED CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Dr. John Gillis has been appointed the new Chief Medical Officer for Rugby Canada following the retirement of Dr. Paul Watson, who had been in the role since 2008 and traveled with the team to two World Cups. Dr. Gillis is already well known to the national program having filled in as team doctor on several occasions over the past couple years. He remains a prominent figure on the Nova Scotia rugby board and somehow finds time to put on the boots for the Halifax Tars when not busy putting people back together in the emergency room or on the sidelines.

BLUES RE-SIGN TOP MEN

The Ontario Blues have signed up head coach Chris Silverthorn and manager Mark Winokur for another two seasons. Both have been with the CRC program since day one, with Silverthorn starting as an assistant coach before being promoted in 2012. Given the tremendous on-field success of the program and the conveyor belt of national calibre athletes emerging in recent years, both at junior and senior levels, that has to be good news for everyone involved.

CANADA SEVENS BACK IN ACTION

The World Cup might be over, but that means it’s time for the World Sevens Series to kick back in again. December 4 is the date of the opening tournament in Dubai, but Canada has already seen action at a couple warm-up tournaments.

The ‘Maple Leafs’ development sides for both the men and women were in Australia on the October 24 weekend. After losing the first two games to tough teams from New Zealand and Fiji, the men closed with three straight wins – including one against Fijian side Red Rock – to come away as ‘Ball’ Champions. Maybe they were all out of plates? The women fared slightly better, winning four in a row before dropping the Cup semi-final to Australia’s development side.

A week later the men were back at it in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the inaugural Halloween 7s. Again they played under the moniker of ‘Maple Leafs’, though that is deceiving as it was very much a full strength senior side with the likes of John Moonlight, Phil Mack, and Nathan Hirayama all taking part. After wading through some decent regional American sides, they came up short in the Cup final against a very good Argentina team also boasting numerous senior circuit veterans.

It was good to see a familiar name among the coaching staff for the Halloween 7s – David Moonlight. One of Canada’s best ever in the shortened game, the original ‘Mooner’ – cousin John is version two – has been appointed as coach of the development side, though no word as of yet if that is a long-term commitment.

DeMERCHANT RETURNS TO SARACENS

Tighthead prop Olivia DeMerchant has headed back to London for the 2015-16 season to re-join top club Saracens. Her first season with the club in 2013-14 led to selection for the 2014 World Cup, and after a year back in Canada she has returned to get more top-flight action against the best that England have to offer. The New Brunswick native was also the subject of a feature on TSN earlier in the year, appropriately titled ‘The Beast From The East’.