Named in honour of legendary Canadian university rugby coach Doug Tate, the Doug Tate University Rugby Coach of the Year Award Fund was established in February 2026 to:
- Recognise the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Head Coach of the Year
- Honour Doug Tate’s contributions to university rugby in Canada in his roles as the long-time head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes, his prior time with the UBC Thunderbirds, and as a co-founder of the McTavish Cup, the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship
Who is Doug Tate?
In the Fall of 2018, Doug Tate entered his 25th year patrolling the Vikes sideline at Wallace Field as head coach of the four-time Canadian University champion men’s rugby team. The following season, at the 2019 McTavish Cup / Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship or CUMRC, hosted by Concordia University in Montreal, Doug’s Vikes team prevailed over the UBC Thunderbirds for the Gold Medal in a squeaker, 21-20. What a way to go into retirement!
With Tate at the helm, the Vikes had previously won back-to-back Canadian university invitational titles in 1997 and ’98. Tate also led the Vikes to BC Rugby Premier Division Championships in 2003 and 2010, and in 2011 the Vikes captured their ninth Barnard Cup as Island champs with a 23-18 upset of James Bay.
Countless Vikes players under Tate have suited up for National XVs and Sevens teams. In 2009, six Vikes represented Canada at the senior men’s XVs level, four played for the senior men’s 7s squad, five competed in the Junior World Rugby Trophy and two Vikes were on the FISU World Rugby Sevens squad that ventured to Portugal.
Tate himself is familiar with the international stage. He was head of Canada’s National Rugby Sevens team for five years (1997-02) and served as the Technical Director for the Canadian National Sevens Team during 2008 tour stops in San Diego, Hong Kong and Adelaide, Australia. Tate also coached Canada at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
More details here.
The Award
The award is presented to the Coach of the Year at the McTavish Cup Awards Ceremony and includes a trophy and a $1,000 financial honorarium for the honoured coach.
Selection and Presentation
The selection of the national Coach of the Year is based on the regular-season achievements of the coach, as voted on from among the Coaches of the Year from the competing conferences or regions. The selection process will be organised through the McTavish Cup/CUMRC Board once the conference coaches have been selected, and before the McTavish Cup Awards ceremonies.
TO DONATE TO THE DOUG TATE UNIVERSITY RUGBY COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FUND, GO HERE:
