Rugby Canada provides updates on Senior Women’s Rugby Programs


March 15, 2022 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada has confirmed a change to the Senior Women’s 15s setup which will see Kevin Rouet take the reigns as Head Coach. He will replace Sandro Fiorino, who brings an end to an 11-year stint with the organization, including four years as Head Coach of the Senior Women’s 15s program.

Rouet comes into the role with notable experience having been the Assistant Coach of the Women’s 15s squad for the last four years, as well as the Head Coach of the Women’s Program at Laval University, Rugby Quebec’s Provincial Women’s program and assistant coach at Stade Bordelais, a professional club based in Bordeaux, France.

Rouet has signed on to lead the team through to the end of the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which takes place in New Zealand later this year having originally been postponed due to COVID-19.

“I’m delighted to be named Head Coach of the Canadian Senior Women’s 15s squad at such an exciting time,” Rouet commented. “We have the quality to achieve a podium finish at the Rugby World Cup and that will be our primary aim as our preparations continue over the coming months.

“Rugby is growing in popularity across Canada, especially among young women and girls,” he added. “This program is a beacon of inspiration to that next generation of players and we know a strong performance in New Zealand will encourage more Canadians to try our great sport.”

In his new role as Head Coach, and following Jack Hanratty’s transition to Head Coach of the Canada Women’s Sevens squad, Rouet will be flanked by regional coaching staff for upcoming training camps before finalizing his staffing roster in early April.

Rouet’s first duties as Head Coach were overseeing check-in camps the past two weekends, with focus now turning to the program in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup:

March 4-6: West Check-In Camp
March 11-13: East Check-In Camp
March 16-21: Overseas Check-In Camp
April 7-17: Red & Black Camp Top 40
May (dates TBD): Assemble prior to departure for Pacific Four tournament
July 16-24: Red & Black Camp
August 17-28: Red & Black Camp
September (dates TBD): Assemble for Rugby World Cup departure (Vancouver)
These plans will include up to six possible test matches away and in Canada prior to departure for the Rugby World Cup with opponents and venues to be announced.

Sandro Fiorino departs Rugby Canada

Fiorino, who remains a valued Rugby Canada employee, will officially leave the organization at the end of March. This departure aligns with the conclusion of the season for the Rugby Canada Development Academy in Ontario where he serves as lead, which Rugby Canada has made the difficult decision to discontinue following a reduction in funding.

“Sandro has been with Rugby Canada for over a decade in a number of roles and has been a significant contributor during his time with us,” said Jamie Levchuk, Interim CEO of Rugby Canada. “We thank Sandro for his contributions over the years. He will be missed and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Women’s Rugby Programs

Rugby Canada will continue to operate a fully-centralized Sevens program and the Maple Leaf Academy Program in Langford to support up-and-coming female players who aspire to be selected for Canada’s Women’s Sevens team, the 2022 Commonwealth Games and to compete on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Meanwhile, World Rugby has confirmed their commitment to funding Women’s rugby globally, including the previously announced 16-team, three-tier Women’s global competition WXV set to begin in 2023. This competition is part of growing the profile, fanbase and commercial revenue of the Women’s game and generating opportunities for Women’s rugby through the new Women in Rugby commercial programme.

Rugby Canada will continue to work with World Rugby for investment opportunities to grow and advance the women’s game in Canada.

About Rugby Canada

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.