Can you describe your coaching journey and the experiences that led you into coaching?
I got into coaching in 2011, immediately after graduating high school, when I began working with the junior varsity rugby program at L.V. Rogers Secondary School in Nelson, British Columbia. After several years as an assistant coach, I progressed to the varsity program, coaching the forwards and helping support a team with a strong tradition of success. During that time, we also had opportunities to tour and compete in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which was an invaluable experience for both the players and coaching staff.
As I became more invested in athlete development, I worked to create opportunities for players beyond our local program, helping them access regional camps and representative teams. That led to an invitation to join the coaching staff of a regional U18 team, where we competed at the Provincial Regional Championships. From there, I was invited by BC Rugby to join the coaching staff for their provincial U15 program. Working alongside experienced provincial and national-level coaches, I helped guide the team at the national championships while continuing to support the development of young athletes pursuing higher levels of competition.
After returning to university in 2018, I played for the University of New Brunswick club team, serving as captain and helping lead the program to two undefeated seasons and two national championship appearances. When my playing career came to an end, I transitioned back into coaching and joined the UNB program as an assistant coach in 2021. The following year, I stepped into a head coach role, where I continue to help develop athletes and grow the program today.
How many years of experience do you have in your sport?
I have been involved in rugby for approximately 18 to 19 years, having started playing around 2008 or 2009. Over that time, I competed as an athlete, including serving as captain of the University of New Brunswick club team and helping lead the team to two undefeated seasons and two national championship appearances. In addition to my playing experience, I have been coaching for 15 years, including the past five seasons with UNB, where I joined as an assistant coach in 2021 before moving into a head coach role the following year.
What significance does the mentorship program, and mentoring in general, have for you?
For me, the mentorship program is ultimately about service and giving back. It is an opportunity to share the experiences and opportunities that have shaped my own coaching journey and to help support the development of others. I understand the value of mentorship because, early in my career, I did not always have as much access to it as I would have liked. Being able to offer that support to other coaches is both meaningful and rewarding.
As a mentor, my goal is not to tell people what to do or suggest there is only one way to coach. Instead, I hope to be a sounding board, a guide, and a source of perspective. I want to help coaches reflect on their own experiences, challenges, and goals, and support them in finding the approaches that work best for them and their teams. Coaching development is a continuous process, and this program provides an opportunity to learn and grow together.
I also see mentorship as a way to strengthen the sport as a whole. Every athlete’s experience is shaped by the quality of coaching they receive, so investing in coaches has a lasting impact on players, teams, and communities. Having spent the past several years in New Brunswick, I am committed to seeing rugby continue to grow across the province. This mentorship program allows me to contribute to that vision by supporting coaches in their development and helping create positive, meaningful experiences for the next generation of athletes.
What is your vision for Rugby and sport in New Brunswick?
My vision for rugby in New Brunswick, and for sport more broadly, is to help athletes realize that there should be no limits on what they can achieve. Why should an athlete in New Brunswick not aspire to compete at the national level or even internationally? I want athletes to dream big and to have the resources, support, and coaching necessary to pursue those goals. As coaches, we have a responsibility to fuel those dreams and help athletes see what is possible.
At the same time, I believe we need to broaden our understanding of what performance really means. Competition is only a small part of an athlete’s life. Performance is not just what happens on the field, on the ice, or on the court. It includes sleep, nutrition, strength training, recovery, rehabilitation, and all the habits and decisions that happen away from competition. Those areas make up the majority of an athlete’s experience, yet they are often overlooked.
My vision is to see athletes across New Brunswick develop as complete athletes and complete people. I want them to have the education, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, not only in sport but in all aspects of their lives. When we invest in that holistic development, we create stronger athletes, healthier individuals, and a sporting culture that allows the next generation to pursue their goals with confidence and ambition.
Can you describe your coaching style or philosophy?
My coaching philosophy is rooted in love, excellence, and human connection. I believe that when we love ourselves, support one another, and develop a genuine love for the game, we create an environment where people can thrive and pursue excellence. For me, coaching is about more than performance and results. It is about championing people, building them up, encouraging them, empowering them, and helping them become the best versions of themselves both on and off the field.
At its core, coaching is about leadership and human relationships. Sport is an incredibly concentrated environment where people work together, face challenges, and perform under pressure. While competition is important, it is still ultimately about humans interacting with humans. My role as a coach is to help athletes navigate those experiences, develop as leaders, and grow in confidence and character. When that foundation is in place, success on the field becomes a natural extension of the work being done off it.
What would you like coaches across New Brunswick to understand about the purpose and value of the mentorship program?
One of the things coaches often wrestle with is the balance between responsibility, control, and ego. Because we care so deeply about our athletes and teams, it can be difficult to open ourselves up to outside perspectives. Coaching is a responsibility that many of us take very seriously, and after years of experience, we do not accept advice simply because someone is in a position of authority. Trust has to be earned.
That is why I hope coaches understand that this mentorship program is not about a top-down approach where someone tells them how to coach or what they should be doing differently. Instead, it is about bringing together experienced coaches who genuinely want to serve, support, encourage, and help others grow. The coach remains at the center of the process, leading their own development while having access to guidance, perspective, and support when they need it.
For me, the success of this program will come from the spirit in which it is delivered. If we approach mentorship with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to help one another, we build the trust and respect that makes meaningful growth possible. More than anything, I hope coaches see this as an opportunity to connect with people who are invested in their success and who want to help them become the best coaches, they can be for their athletes and communities.
