ALGONQUIN THUNDER ANNOUNCES NEW WOMEN'S RUGBY HEAD COACH

OTTAWA - The Algonquin College women's rugby program is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Gauthier to the position of women's rugby head coach for the 2013 season.

While the program is extremely sad to see Jen Boyd move onto The University of Ottawa Gee‐Gees, we welcome Dan Gauthier with open arms.

Dan is a NCCP Level 2 rugby coach and has been involved with the sport for over 20 years. During his university schooling, he played four years for the Carleton University Ravens men's program, serving three years as the team captain and league all-star.

He has played club rugby for the Belleville Bulldogs, Bytown Blues, Ottawa Beavers and Barrhaven Scottish, while also playing representative rugby for the Eastern Ontario Harlequins in the Rugby Canada Super League. He was selected for the inaugural Rugby Canada U-23 Rugby Academy Program in Kingston, Ont., in the summer of 2001 and was selected to play for Canada in the Emerging Nations Rugby League World Cup in England in November, 2000.

Dan has stayed active in coaching throughout his career. He has coached high school rugby as well as experience coaching in the university/college setting with time as an assistant coach with the Carleton men's rugby team from 2002-07 and being an associate coach with the Algonquin College women's rugby program under Boyd in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Dan coached the Ottawa Banshees women's rugby program from 2006-08 and has been coaching with the Barrhaven Scottish since retiring from playing in 2010, starting as skills coach with the club, before transitioning to the senior women's program from 2011 to present, where is presently the head coach.

For more information regarding the Thunder athletic department and women's rugby program, please visit www.algonquinsa.com/athletics.aspx or contact Meaghan Green.

Source: Algonquin College