UPEI Athletics and Recreation names John LaBoyne Women’s Rugby Head Coach

Charlottetown, PEI (June 16, 2016)— University of Prince Edward Island Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Huggan announced today that British Columbia native John LaBoyne will be the new head coach for the varsity UPEI Women's Rugby team. The position became available earlier this year when Coach Shannon Atkins advised UPEI that she is moving, ironically, to British Columbia to pursue a new career opportunity.

Huggan said, "I am excited to welcome John to our UPEI Panther coaching staff. John has an extensive background in coaching women's rugby and in developing successful athletes, teams, and programs. His passion, positive outlook, and high level of preparation will be a great addition to our program as well as to the PEI rugby community."

Long-time coach LaBoyne has worked extensively in women's rugby with U17, U19, senior club, and university sides. LaBoyne has extensive technical game skills and experiences, and is noted for bringing out the best in individuals and teams by fostering theory into practice and practice to successful game play through effective communications.

In recent years LaBoyne has been a consultant with the UBC Okanagan women's 7s and 15s teams. He also coached the United RFC senior women to a British Columbia First Division Championship in 2015, was head coach at Cornell University with the Cornell Women's RFC, and was head coach of the Thompson Okanagan U17 girls team at the BC Summer Games.

The NCCP Level 2 coach has extensive coaching training, including studying with dynamic and progressive national and international elite coaches. LaBoyne is also a certified Level 1 referee and an IRB (World Rugby) Level 1 Sevens coach. Other rugby involvements include serving as a BC Rugby Union Youth Development Officer and as a tour organizer for many overseas incoming and outgoing rugby teams.

LaBoyne comments, "I am very pleased to be selected head coach of the UPEI woman's varsity rugby team and joining the Panther family."

Prospective student-athletes can contact LaBoyne at wrugby@upei.ca

For information:

Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca