Rugby Canada condemns criticism of 7s team, some from inside

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Rugby Canada condemned the “inappropriate comments” directed at the women’s rugby sevens team after its disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics.

The fact that some of the comments came from within added to a year of turmoil for the governing body and the team of seven, which filed a formal complaint in January under the bullying and harassment policy. from Rugby Canada.

The social media posts of Jamie Cudmore, a former star player who is now an assistant coach for the 15-year-old Canadian men’s team and heads Rugby Canada’s national development academy, have been criticized.

Cudmore, a henchman on the rugby field during his playing days, apologized via social media.

“It was a touching event for a good friend and I let it get the better of me,” he said. “I have always played / coached with my heart on my sleeve for this great country. I’m sorry if I have offended anyone.”

The good friend is former Sevens coach John Tait.

Following the complaint filed by 37 current and former team members, an independent review concluded that while the conduct described in the complaint reflected the experiences of the athletes, it did not meet the definition of Rugby policy. Canada of harassment or bullying.

Tait, while maintaining that he had done nothing wrong, subsequently resigned. A former Canadian international, Tait was one of Rugby Canada’s most successful coaches, leading the seven-team to bronze at the Rio Olympics.

Controversy has divided Rugby Canada, with most of the Tait employees starting.

And it looks like some couldn’t resist shooting the women given their performance at the Olympics under interim coach Mick Byrne.

“Karma is a bitch! .Survivorsmyass,” read a since-deleted tweet from Cudmore.

“Rugby Canada stands in solidarity with our female 7-a-side athletes,” the governing body said in a social media post. “We support the team in their efforts both on and off the rugby pitch and are proud of the way they have represented our country. Rugby Canada is aware of recent comments from the team on social media and has been working to ensure they are removed as quickly as possible. possible.

“Our organizational values ​​include solidarity and respect, and all of our staff must help create an inclusive environment for all. We condemn any inappropriate comments made to the team and our management will come together to address this issue immediately.”

Several of Cudmore’s deleted tweets were captured and posted by seven-a-side player Charity Williams.

“I wanted to take this moment to talk about our performances and how proud I am of this team beyond any result,” Williams wrote on Instagram. “Because I am and what we’ve accomplished this year is so much more than a weekend. What this team represents and what we have become means that young female athletes across Canada can play their sport and feel safe and secure. I’m proud of it.

“But instead, I have to sit here again and share what we’ve been through as a team. The constant hatred we’ve received from members of our own organization. I only share because that this is what we have been faced with for months. From private texting to public harassment online and in person. The bullying and harassment we have experienced for coming forward can be outrageous and frightening. the reason we asked for an internal investigation was because we weren’t safe. “

As a result of this investigation, players said they were disappointed with Rugby Canada’s policy on harassment and bullying – which has since been updated and replaced.

Captain Ghislaine Landry also took to social media from Tokyo.

“We always knew it was more than rugby, more than a tournament, even though it’s the Olympics. We knew the last nine months could jeopardize our Olympic dream, we had this group discussion, and the decision was always We were prepared to put our dreams at risk for change.

“It was not a distraction, but it cost us dearly. And so, even though we are heartbroken that we couldn’t have played our best, we are proud and united.”

In a statement released on April 28, the players said their complaint “explains the psychological abuse, harassment and / or intimidation these athletes feel they are subjected to in the centralized training environment.”

Much was expected of the Canadian women in Tokyo, given their performance in Rio and the fact that they were tied with Australia in points for second place in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings when the pandemic ended. to the season last year.

But the Canadians were not at their best in Tokyo, losing to Fiji and France after beating Brazil and missing the quarter-finals. Their next match in Tokyo is for ninth place.

Canada had hoped to advance to the medal rounds after the group game as one of the top two thirds. But he was overtaken by the Russian team due to scoring two more points given that both teams had the same minus-12 point differential.

It was played on the wire, with the Russians shutout 33-0 by New Zealand in their last pool. Canada would have advanced if the Kiwis had scored one more point.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 30, 2021.

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