Trent University’s Athletics & Recreation department is excited to announce the appointment of Tom McLeod as the new head coach of the men’s varsity rugby program, starting this week.

Mr. McLeod, whose strength lies in sport technical knowledge and analysis, was most recently the assistant coach at Wilfrid Laurier University and has held multiple positions with Rugby Ontario programs. He is eager to join the Excalibur varsity program and keen to get started in planning for the upcoming season which sees the men’s rugby program return to Ontario University Athletics (OUA).

“I am very excited to be joining the Trent Excalibur men’s varsity rugby program,” said Mr. McLeod. “Over the last several years the coaching staff, and student-athletes have done a phenomenal job of building the program to the point where it is ready to compete at the OUA level. The focus now will be on continuing to strengthen the program to a point where we are able to compete for a medal on a yearly basis. I am looking forward to helping us get there."

“For the 2016/2017 varsity season we have moved the men’s rugby program to the OUA at a time that we feel we can compete with the best programs in Ontario and Mr. McLeod gives us a great opportunity to continue our growth and success both on and off the field,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director, Athletics & Recreation.

The Excalibur men’s rugby program has spent the better part of the last decade competing in the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) league and in the 2015/16 season took home the provincial championship. The men’s rugby program joins the men’s and women’s volleyball programs in transitioning to the OUA for the 2016/17 season, which means all Excalibur varsity teams now compete under the same banner. This transition is part of a larger vision for the growth of Trent Athletics and this opportunity provides enhanced high performance opportunities for student-athletes.