Jim Dixon Join Rugby Canada

Rugby Canada and BC Rugby today announced leadership changes that will see Jim Dixon join Rugby Canada as the new General Manager of Rugby Operations and Performance.

Mike Chu joined Rugby Canada in late 2011 after spending the previous nine years with the New Zealand Rugby Union as their Coach and Player Development Manager.

Chu will be returning to the New Zealand Rugby Union as their National Coach Development Manager.

“It’s been a privilege to have worked for Rugby Canada and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here,” Chu said. “I feel Rugby Canada is on a great upward swing, with many exciting events to look forward to and with our teams and staff striving tirelessly to succeed on the international stage.

I am grateful to the players, staff, board members, volunteers, and the many great rugby people across the country who have made my time in Canada so rewarding and I will continue to be a strong advocate and ambassador for Canadian Rugby.”

During his (Chu) time with Rugby Canada, he has built a culture of excellence at Rugby Canada’s COE. “NZ Rugby is pleased to welcome Mike back,” said Brent Anderson, GM Community and Provincial Union Rugby at NZRU.

“He is a quality person and the experiences he has gained from his time in Canada will only enhance his ability to continue to contribute to rugby.” While with Rugby Canada, Canadian rugby has experienced some of its best results in its history.

These include the following:

• Second place finish at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup
• Back-to-back third place finishes in the Women’s Seven Series
• Second place finish at the 2013 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens
• Sixth place finish in the 2014-15 HSBC Men’s Seven World Series season

Canada recently hosted its first ever Women’s Sevens event in Langford and next year will host a stop of the Men’s tour in Vancouver.

While Rugby Canada is saddened to lose Chu, the addition of Dixon is an exciting prospect.

Dixon will be joining Rugby Canada from BC Rugby, where he has acted as CEO since September 2013.

Dixon is also a native Kiwi where he graduated from the University of Otago with a major in Coaching and Sport Psychology.

Outside of Canada, Dixon has worked in Australia, Spain and England. Dixon told the media “It is an absolute honour to be joining Rugby Canada and I’ve worked closely with many of the Rugby Canada staff and athletes over the past three years.”

He continued “They are an outstanding group of people with ambition, drive and determination to succeed. I am relishing the opportunity to support and lead them in achieving their respective goals and objectives.”

Both Rugby Canada and BC Rugby are committed to work together to ensure a smooth transition of their management personnel.

Dixon will remain at his post with BC Rugby until the end of May and thereafter will assist with the transition of his successor with BC Rugby.

Steve Cook, BC Rugby’s President, thanked Dixon for his efforts while wishing him the best of luck with Rugby Canada.

Rugby Canada’s CEO Graham Brown added, “Thank you to both Mike and his family for their incredible dedication to Canadian Rugby.  Mike has provided world leading leadership and professionalism with which he has led our vision for rugby in Canada during his tenure with Rugby Canada.

He has been an integral part of our recent success and we wish the entire Chu Family nothing but the best as he returns to New Zealand.

BC Rugby will be commencing a search for Dixon’s replacement immediately and scoring with the utmost agility.

Thanks to BC Rugby for the info.