CEO Statement - September 4, 2026

I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of BC Rugby and grateful for the confidence the Board has placed in me, as well as for the support and encouragement I have received from across the rugby community during my time with the organisation.

My commitment is straightforward: to grow and strengthen rugby across British Columbia, while continuing to improve the quality of our competitions, programs and the experience we provide to everyone involved in our game. That means putting our members, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs at the centre of what we do, while building a BC Rugby that is ambitious, accountable and sustainable for the future.

I recognize that not everyone in our wider rugby community will have the same view of me or of my appointment. I respect that. I also understand that, for some in particular, my appointment may bring forward concerns or uncertainty. I don't expect trust or confidence to be given simply because I have been appointed to this role. I believe those things are earned — through how I conduct myself, how I listen, how I collaborate, and ultimately through the results we achieve together. My experiences throughout rugby have taught me the importance of reflection, meaningful action, and creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and able to speak openly. I ask only for the opportunity to do that work and to earn the trust and support of our rugby community over time.

Rugby has been a significant part of my life at every level — as a player, coach, manager and, perhaps most importantly, as a father of three young women, two of whom are rugby players. Those experiences have given me a broad perspective on our game and on what it means to be part of a rugby community.

My experience at the highest levels of the game, including international and professional rugby, has also taught me some important lessons. Perhaps the most important is that challenging goals are achieved through collaboration, communication and a willingness to bring people together around a common purpose. I believe that principle will be essential as we work to move BC Rugby forward.

There is enormous potential in rugby in British Columbia. We have passionate clubs, talented athletes, committed coaches and officials, dedicated volunteers and a strong rugby community. My goal is to help bring those pieces together, strengthen the foundations of our game and create more opportunities for people to participate, develop and succeed in rugby.

I look forward to listening, learning, working alongside our members and partners, and building the next chapter of BC Rugby together.

John Tait

BC Rugby CEO

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bcrugby.com

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BC Rugby Names John Tait as Chief Executive Officer

By Danielle Cornwall • September 4, 2026

Vancouver, B.C. — British Columbia Rugby Union (BC Rugby) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Tait as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The announcement follows a thorough search process including numerous qualified candidates and caps a five-year journey with the organisation during which Tait has become an integral part of BC Rugby's leadership and success. A former Canadian national team player and coach, Tait brings a track record of success at the highest levels of the sport. Tait joined BC Rugby in 2021 as Technical Director, where he played a central role in strengthening the province's coaching pathways and high-performance programs. He has twice served as Interim CEO, steadying and guiding the organisation through periods of transition while continuing to demonstrate the strategic vision, operational strength, and dedication to the sport that makes him a natural choice for the permanent role. "John has spent the last five years earning the trust and respect of our board, clubs, and staff," said Bob Strachan, Chair of the BC Rugby CEO search committee. "His time as Interim CEO showed us exactly what he could do at the helm — steady leadership, a clear vision for growing the game in this province, and a genuine commitment to everyone who plays and works in rugby here in B.C. The Board is confident that John is the right person to lead BC Rugby into its next chapter with a new strategic plan." "I'm honoured to take on this role and to continue the work we've been building together over these past five years," said John Tait, incoming CEO of BC Rugby. "Rugby in this province means a great deal to me, from our grassroots clubs right up to our high-performance athletes. My focus is on building the programs and the culture that drive real success on the field: winning teams, strong pathways from club rugby, and a province that produces players who compete at the highest level." BC Rugby is the governing body for rugby in British Columbia, representing thousands of players through its network of member clubs across the province. For media inquiries, please contact: media@bcrugby.com