Rugby Canada has named Jamie Levchuk as its new interim chief executive officer.

He takes over from outgoing CEO Allen Vansen, after working since 2020 as the organizationB次元官网网址檚 managing director of business operations. Levchuk has also worked with HSBC Canada Sevens and previously held positions with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canucks and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a time in our union where weB次元官网网址檙e going to be going through some changes, and itB次元官网网址檚 an exciting time to hit the restart button on a few things,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥bviously thereB次元官网网址檚 going to be some challenges up ahead as well.B次元官网网址�

Both the menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 sides of the program have struggled lately.

The menB次元官网网址檚 15s failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in the tournamentB次元官网网址檚 history, a result that will see Rugby Canada miss out on around $1 million in funding from World Rugby, the sportB次元官网网址檚 governing body.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 women finished seventh in sevens competition at the Tokyo Olympics, prompting a review of Rugby CanadaB次元官网网址檚 high-performance program. Results from that review are expected in the next few weeks, and Levchuk said he looks forward to working with the board to implement recommended changes.

Recent years have seen a number of high-profile player retire from both the sevens and 15s mens sides. Ten players with the 15s earned their first caps during a summer series in Europe. The women saw program pillar Ghislaine Landry retire, and the 15s play international matches for the first time since 2019 last November B次元官网网址� their fall tour produced wins over USA and Wales an a lopsided loss to World Cup rivals England.

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B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e seeing with our menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens program now this next generation of players is coming through,B次元官网网址� Levchuk said. B次元官网网址淲e need to make sure they get the opportunity to step in for those players whoB次元官网网址檝e come before.B次元官网网址�

The reintroduction of programs like Pacific Pride, a development academy for up-and-coming men players, has seen a number of graduates earn professional contracts in Major League Rugby. A new womenB次元官网网址檚 competition called the Pacific Four will feature Canada, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia and, COVID restrictions allowing, should happen this year ahead of the 2022 World Cup in October and November.

B次元官网网址淲e have work to do, we realize that,B次元官网网址� Levchuk said. B次元官网网址淏ut again, there is room for optimism here with the teams and the players that are heading out there.B次元官网网址�

He said a decision about a permanent CEO will be made around mid-2022.

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