Ill-judged posts a setback in coaching career

JAMIE CUDMORE is back working at grassroots level as Newfoundland provincial coach after a difficult time in 2021.

The former Canadian international lost his position as head of Rugby Canada’s national development academy and assistant coach with the Canadian men’s 15s team in July 2021 after a series of social media posts criticising the country’s women’s sevens side following their disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics.

Rugby Canada branded the posts ‘unacceptable and in breach of organisation policy’. Cudmore subsequently deleted the posts and offered a full apology.

‘It was an emotional event for a good friend and I let that get the better of me,’ Cudmore said on Twitter at the time.

‘I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone.’ The good friend in question was John Tait, who had stepped down from his role as women’s sevens coach following a bullying and harassment complaint from players prior to the Games.

Tait was subsequently cleared by an internal investigation but stepped down after more than a decade in charge of the Canadian women’s programme.

After a tough year, Cudmore is hoping to rebuild bridges back in his native land.

‘If I can help at the grassroots level and at the professional level, well that’s the perfect scenario for me,’ Cudmore said.