The Langford-based Canadian women鈥檚 rugby sevens team has been rocked by a coaching change ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Rugby sa国际传媒 said it has received a complaint and has engaged an independent investigator to address the matter. The organization did not elaborate.
John Tait of Mill Bay, who guided the team to the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold medal at the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games, is no longer head coach of the national squad.
鈥淩ugby sa国际传媒 is taking these concerns very seriously,鈥� CEO Allen Vansen said in a statement.
鈥淲e are following our internal policies and procedures that are in alignment with established national response guidelines.鈥�
An update will be provided only when the process has been completed, he said, citing a need for confidentiality.
Players contacted would not comment directly about the complaint.
鈥淎 complaint was sent to Rugby sa国际传媒,鈥� said veteran player Bianca Farella.
鈥淲e know that an investigator has been retained to review the complaint and conduct an investigation. At this time, and to ensure the integrity of the process is maintained, I have shared everything I can share.鈥�
Fellow-Canadian player Pam Buisa added: 鈥淚 can鈥檛 comment on the situation. I will say I am excited to be training for the Olympics and am focusing on that.鈥�
Sources close to the situation have told the sa国际传媒 the complaints are not physical in nature, but 鈥渢echnical鈥� in terms of style and coaching approach.
Every Canadian training session going back several years at Westhills Stadium and Goudy Field has been videoed, noted one of the sources, in support of Tait.
Tait could not be reached for comment.
Mick Byrne will assume the role of interim Canadian head coach through to the Tokyo Olympic Games, scheduled for July 23 to Aug. 8. Byrne has been specialty coach with New Zealand and Australia, and has consulted with the Canadian women鈥檚 sevens team since 2012.
鈥淚 am excited at the opportunity to lead this team into the Tokyo 颅Olympics,鈥� said Byrne.
Byrne is not currently in Langford.
鈥淚 will be integrating with the team immediately in a remote 颅capacity and look forward to joining in person when able,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 am very familiar with the players and systems and have great confidence that our team will be performing at our best come July.鈥�
Sandro Fiorino, Canadian women鈥檚 XVs team head coach preparing for the 2021 World Cup in the fall, is acting as interim women鈥檚 sevens team head coach to oversee training in Langford until April.
Fiorino is being assisted by national women鈥檚 team XVs assistant coach Maria Gallo.
鈥淭he [women鈥檚 sevens] team remains united and focused on the ultimate goal of winning a medal at the Olympic Games and building a legacy that will empower the next generation on and off the field,鈥� Rugby sa国际传媒 said in a statement.
