Rugby Canada have fired Jamie Cudmore after “unacceptable” social media posts he made about the Canadian women’s rugby sevens team.
Former Canadian international Cudmore posted tweets in which he celebrated Canada being knocked out of the women’s Olympic rugby sevens tournament, despite working in a coaching capacity with the men’s academy and senior XVs sides.
The tweets in question have been deleted by Cudmore, but Canadian sevens international Charity Williams posted the tweets on her Instagram account in which she called out the “consistent hatred” directed at the team from within Rugby Canada.
View this post on Instagram
Rugby Canada’s statement.
Rugby Canada have confirmed in a statement that they have relieved Cudmore of his duties within the national set-up with immediate effect.
“Rugby Canada has relieved Jamie Cudmore of his coaching duties with the Canadian Rugby Development Academy and Men’s Rugby Team effective immediately,” the statement reads.
“This decision comes as a result of a review of recent social media postings which were unacceptable and in breach of organisation policy. Rugby Canada’s organisational values remain paramount to the work we do.
“As previously announced, Rugby Canada remains committed to a detailed, independent review of all performance rugby programs starting next month with a goal of positioning teams for success in supportive, inclusive environments.”
1/5: Rugby Canada has relieved Jamie Cudmore of his coaching duties with the Canadian Rugby Development Academy and Men’s Rugby Team effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/AiTW7uuxuM
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) July 30, 2021
Jamie Cudmore apologises for his tweets.
Cudmore expressed his pleasure in seeing Canada fail to qualify for the Olympic quarter-finals, as a response to former women’s sevens head coach John Tait stepping down after an internal revolt.
A formal complaint was made against Tait by 37 current and former team members in January on the grounds of bullying and harassment, and after an internal investigation Tait stepped away from the team.
Cudmore apologised for the now-deleted tweets in another tweet, in which he confirmed that his celebrations were in response to his “good friend” John Tait’s resignation as head coach.
I would like to apologize for the tweets posted last night. It’s was an emotional event for a good friend and I let that get the better of me. I’ve always played/coached with my heart on my sleeve for this great country ?? I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone.
— Jamie Cudmore (@JNCudmore) July 30, 2021
“I would like to apologise for the tweets posted last night. It’s was an emotional event for a good friend and I let that get the better of me,” Cudmore wrote.
“I’ve always played/coached with my heart on my sleeve for this great country. I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone.”