A complaint from members of the Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens team has prompted Rugby Canada to call in an independent investigator and revamp the team coaching staff.

The sevens side is coached by John Tait, a former Canadian international who serves as Rugby CanadaB次元官网网址檚 director of womenB次元官网网址檚 high performance. The 47-year-old coached the sevens women to a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold at the 2015 Pan-American Games.

In its five-paragraph release Friday, Rugby Canada did not name Tait, say who was the subject of the investigation or specify the complaint. But Tait does not figure in the new-look coaching setup.

B次元官网网址淥f course, matters of employment and confidentiality are really important to us. I would ask you to draw your own conclusions,B次元官网网址� Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen said in an interview when asked if Tait was involved in the complaint.

In a subsequent email, he said: B次元官网网址渕atters related to employees are confidential.B次元官网网址�

Vansen said he could not provide further details about the complaint other than to say: B次元官网网址淚 can certainly share that the complaints are from multiple individuals.B次元官网网址�

Tait, in a text to The Canadian Press, said he canB次元官网网址檛 comment at this time but hoped to be able to speak on the matter in the coming weeks.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 surreal,B次元官网网址� he said.

Tait, an imposing figure at six foot eight, won 37 caps for Canada from 1997 to 2002. He played professionally in Wales with Cardiff and France with CA Brive.

He has been a coaching constant at Rugby Canada for more than a decade, having served as an assistant coach with the menB次元官网网址檚 15s team and head coach of the womenB次元官网网址檚 15s team prior to taking over the sevens women. Last August, the father of three was given additional responsibilities, handed the high-performance role on the womenB次元官网网址檚 side in addition to his sevens head coaching duties.

Team captain Ghislaine Landry confirmed that the complaint was made by members of the team but declined further comment.

In the statement, Vansen said: B次元官网网址淩ugby Canada is taking these concerns very seriously. We are following our internal policies and procedures that are in alignment with established national response guidelines, and in a manner that reflects our values.B次元官网网址�

He said he hoped the investigatorB次元官网网址檚 report will be completed by the end of March. B次元官网网址淎nd we have been assured it will be no later than mid-April.B次元官网网址�

The clock is ticking. The Olympic rugby sevens competition is scheduled for July 26-31 in Tokyo. And reputations are at stake.

The Canadian women are a medal threat. They were third in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings when the season shut down after five events last year, having finished runner-up at three events and third at a fourth.

Canada was third overall the previous season, lifting the trophy at the Kitakyushu Sevens in Japan in April 2019. It marked the first cup win for the Canadian women since 2017.

Sandro Fiorino, head coach of the womenB次元官网网址檚 15s team, has temporarily moved from Ontario to Langford, to serve as interim sevens coach with help from Maria Gallo, an assistant coach with the 15s team.

Mick Byrne, a specialist coach with both New Zealand and Australia who has consulted remotely with the Canadian sevens side since 2012, B次元官网网址渨ill assume the role of national senior womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens interim head coach through to the Olympic Games.B次元官网网址� Rugby Canada said in the statement.

Byrne is not currently in Canada. Vansen said Rugby Canada is working on the necessary paperwork to get him into the country.

B次元官网网址淲e remain united and focused on our goal of winning a medal at the Olympic Games.B次元官网网址� Landry said in email to The Canadian Press. B次元官网网址淲e are training together and are confident in the interim plan. We look forward to working with Mick, Sandro and Maria.B次元官网网址�

The World Series ground to a halt when the pandemic stuck. Rugby Canada says the women are expected to travel to a tournament in early April with Byrne expected to join the team on the trip.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on .

Want to support local journalism? Make a donation