Canada’s Women’s Sevens rugby team will lose its head coach after the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Jack Hanratty is leaving the Langford-based team and heading to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s rugby team as its new head coach in 2025.
“I’m looking forward to a short break to rest and reset before starting my new role where I’ll happily continue growing women’s rugby in Canada,” said Hanratty.
His tenure as head coach of the women’s sevens squad began in October 2021 when he was appointed interim coach before becoming permanent in the position in August 2022.
Coaching the women’s sevens team was one of the most rewarding and challenging positions Hanratty had taken on, but he was proud of how his team had developed during his time.
“Working with such quality staff and these world-class players is something I feel very fortunate about.”
Hanratty will keep his focus on the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series and the Olympic Games before departing, and the coach’s enthusiasm for the game would serve him well in the future, said Stephen Aboud, Rugby Canada’s high-performance director.
“Jack’s enthusiasm and energy will be a huge asset to the University of Ottawa program, in tandem with his knowledge of the Canadian rugby landscape and women’s rugby,” Aboud said.
During Hanratty’s run as head coach, he secured silver at the Pan American Games, bronze at the 2024 HSBC Sevens Vancouver and qualification for the Paris Summer Olympics.
“We are looking forward to the final rounds of the HSBC Sevens Series and then all eyes will be on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” said Hanratty.
READ MORE: Port Renfrew to get new $12M school