Canada boost national women’s programme staff

Rugby Canada has appointed former international player Meaghan Howat as the new Manager of its National Womens Programme, in a boost to the structures of the game there.

Canada have been looking to strengthen their off field management ahead of the start of the IRB Womens World Sevens Series, in which they are a core team, and a busy XV programme next year, having received financial support from Sport Canada and Own the Podium.

Howat earlier this year won the 2012 Colette McAuley award, which recognises women's rugby players who display true spirit of the game and she has also played on several age grade squads, at the University level and represented Ontario provincially, most recently at the 2012 National Womens League.

Previously the marketing coordinator for the Toronto Rock, a professional lacrosse team, as well as working in Womens sponsorship development for Rugby Canadas Womens Programme, Howat comes with a solid marketing background which was something that the Womens programme sought and that the hiring panel was looking for in their ideal candidate.

John Tait, Canadas Senior and Sevens head coach said,

There were quite a few really good applicants for the position but Meaghan's enthusiasm and desire to take our program to another level really came out in the interviewing process.

She has the advantage of already knowing, and in some cases working with, a lot of the stakeholders that the program deals with each day from her volunteer promotional work over the last year. Meaghan's strong background in marketing and communications will be of huge benefit for the Women's program moving forward, as marketing the team and athletes will be crucial to continued success in the future as the demands of the game increase so will the need for more support.

Howat said: "To have the opportunity to be a part of the Women's programme and contribute to the growth, funding, and exposure of the team and the athletes is something I am very much looking forward to.