Neil Langevin (Photo Credit: U of L Pronghorns)

By Aaron Mahoney

Getting the Call

Langevin named assistant coach for men’s rugby sevens FISU team

Jun 11, 2019 | 3:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Pronghorn women’s rugby head coach Neil Langevin will get another opportunity to represent Canada, being named an assistant coach for the Canadian men’s rugby sevens FISU Summer Universiade team that will compete in Naples, Italy in July.

Team Canada head coach Robin MacDowell says he was pleased to name Langevin to the coaching staff for the Team Canada U SPORTS Men’s 7s headed to the FISU Games.

“We are fortunate to have Neil join our program at this major competition, he brings a wealth of knowledge both in the international game and at the university level,” he continued. “Most importantly, Neil breeds a positive culture that will help us build a winning experience for these Canadian university athletes both on and off the field!”

Langevin, who is in his second stint as the head coach of the Pronghorn program, was the head coach for the first 12 years of the program, winning three straight CIS Championships (2007, 2008, 2009) and six consecutive Canada West titles (2006-11).

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He officially returned to the program as the second full-time head coach for the 2018 season.

“Having known Neil for over fifteen years he played a part in developing me as an athlete early on in my high-performance career, and now to have an opportunity to work alongside on this stage will truly be an honour,” MacDowell added.

In addition to being the architect of the Pronghorns women’s team from the start, Langevin has a wealth of international experience, highlighted by a fourth-place finish as head coach of the senior national team at the 2006 Rugby World Cup hosted in Edmonton.

He has also coached the Canadian U20 and U23 teams previously.

Langevin says he’s excited for the opportunity in Naples to help MacDowell coach Canada’s entry at the Universiade.

“Returning to the international field and working with a talented coach like Robin will help me on my daily mission to improve myself. Working with young men who are fantastic athletes will be a great experience. I look forward to helping them compete at such a huge event,” Langevin stated.

The Opening Ceremony will be held on July 3, and the sevens tournament will start the next day. The Canadian men’s team is in Pool B with France, Japan, and the host country, Italy.