Five men’s and women’s Canadian university rugby head and assistant coaches comprised the 2026 cadre attending the Crusaders Global Academy Accelerator Coaching program from May 20 through May 31, 2026, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Each had their program fees plus room and board paid, and travel costs and meals subsidised.
2026 Coaches Awardees
Selected by the Canadian Rugby Foundation and funded by its Unrestricted Fund and For the Love of the Game Fund are:
- Matthew Bouchard – Head Coach, Carleton MRugby
- Keegan Brantner – Ass’t Coach, Lethbridge WRugby
- Janice Cougle – Head Coach, Saint Mary’s WRugby
- Sean Tindall – Ass’t Coach, Calgary MRugby
- Meaghan Wilson – Ass’t Coach, McMaster WRugby
NOTE:
The Canadian Rugby Foundation University Coaching Awards are an initiative of the Foundation’s University Rugby Supporters Fund to further develop university-level coaches’ program leadership, coaching expertise and technical ability. The focus of this initiative is on university coaches as we believe the men’s and women’s university rugby pathway is critical to the success of our senior teams and programs. A major goal of this award is for the coaches to use their learnings to enhance the technical skills of their university student-athletes AND to share that information with rugby coaches in their local and provincial rugby communities.
This award and arrangements with the Crusaders are administered by members of the Foundation’s University Rugby initiative committee, chaired by Dave Lougheed, with Mike Holmes, Doug Tate, Colette McAuley, and Jeff Chan.
What the Award Entails:
Selected coaches attend a 14-day program at the home of Crusaders Rugby in Christchurch, NZ (https://crusaders.co.nz/). For the 2026 program, five university coaches selected by the Foundation will join 2o international coaches in a program organised by the Crusaders Global Academy. The Crusaders are widely regarded as the top Super Rugby Pacific club (7 consecutive championships through June 2023 and a win in 2025), furnishing multiple players to the All Blacks, and most recently the former All-Blacks head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson. The Global Academy offers ongoing courses focused on players and this Coaches program.
CRF University Coaches Award Eligibility
A head or assistant coach of a CUMRC-eligible Men’s or U SPORTS Women’s university rugby team who:
- Is a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or permanent resident.
- Has a demonstrated commitment to developing their capabilities as a university rugby coach, and to the development and growth of rugby at their university/province.
- Holds one of the following:
- World Rugby Level 3 certification,
- Completion of the Level 3 training,
- Level 2 certification, or completion of Level 2 training and awaiting the Level 2 evaluation. Those who have committed to and scheduled to completing Level 2 training before May 2026 are also eligible.
Selection Criteria:
- A strong track record of success as a coach, and one who sets high professional standards.
- Recognised as a developer of young people – both on and off the field – and as a mentor to other coaches and players.
- Significant contributions to the rugby community – at the university, schools, and/or local, provincial or national teams.
- Commitment to developing as a high-performance coach and can articulate their rugby coaching aspirations.
- Strength of the application email demonstrating the above criteria, and of the references, which should include how the referee knows the coach and the basis on which the application of this coach for this opportunity is made (not just a general reference, such as a family friend).
- 5 candidates will be selected from across Canada, with a preference for representation from different regions of Canada, and both men’s and women’s rugby programs.
