New head coach for Brock men's rugby

Shawn Windsor was named the new Brock men's rugby coach ahead of the 2020 OUA regular season.

A new skipper is stepping up to lead the Brock Badgers men's rugby team.

Shawn Windsor is taking the reigns as head coach of the men's rugby program from Phil Sullivan, who will remain with the team in a managerial role.

During Sullivan's six years as head coach, the men's team became a full-year program with the OUA schedule, Sevens competitions and off-season training.

coach sullivan — Phil Sullivan served as head coach for six seasons.

"The program has seen a tremendous growth," said Sullivan. "There were some bumps along the way, but the buy-in and structure of the Brock Sports Performance and Medicine have been definite factors in how well we performed last year."

Windsor, who served under Sullivan as an assistant coach last season, takes over a team which captured an OUA bronze medal and competed in their first Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships, where they won the consolation final.

"Shawn is a great coach. He is very knowledgeable and has a great temperament for managing people," said Sullivan. "The players know him and loved working with him last year. I think he will have a great impact on the growth of the program, because he is motivated to build on our success from last year and already in the midst of a very strong recruiting class."

Brock Sports Associate Athletic Director Emily Allan thanked Sullivan for his leadership.

"Phil has done fantastic things for this program and has set the men's team up for future success," she said. "I'm excited to see where Shawn takes the program from here. Brock rugby — both the men and women — have become known across the province as teams to look out for."

Windsor said he's looking forward to strengthening that reputation.

"I think we caught a lot of people by surprise, especially at Nationals," said Windsor. "My vision for Brock rugby is to make it one of the best programs in the country. I think with the boys we have and the culture we've built, there's room for growth and success."

Windsor said his goals for the team are to bring home an OUA gold medal, along with a national championship within the next few years.

"I think if we keep working like we have been and growing as a program, then we'll be there sooner rather than later," he said.

Windsor brings an extensive rugby resume to the Badgers.

He picked up the game in Grade 9 at Saltfleet High School, and quickly joined the Stoney Creek Rugby Club. Four years later, in 2005, he captained his high school team to an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations gold medal.

Windsor went on to enroll at McMaster, where he suited up for the Marauders and earned OUA Rookie of the Year (West) honours in his first season. Before graduating with an Honours degree in Sociology, Windsor helped McMaster win four OUA men's rugby gold medals.

He has won two national titles with the Ontario Blues senior men's team, and was named Rugby Ontario's Club Player of the Year in 2017. Windsor currently plays professionally with the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby.

Outside of rugby, Windsor is a teacher at his alma mater, Saltfleet High School.

The team is currently scheduled to hold their training camp during the first week of September provided COVID-19 precautions are lifted.

Shawn Windsor playing for Toronto Arrows — Shawn Windsor also plays pro rugby with the Toronto Arrows of the Major League Rugby. Photo by George Magee

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