CSC ATLANTIC, HIGH PERFORMANCE MANAGER
Les Gilson
 

 

The CSC Atlantic, High Performance Manager is responsible for providing leadership and direction to all of Rugby Canada’s High Performance Programs for men and women including senior and age grade talent identification and talent development programs in the Atlantic Region of Canada.  The focus of attention for this role is upon the management of players and programs.  The CSC Atlantic, High Performance Manager works in conjunction with the various national program Directors and Management to ensure high performance standards are in place at every level and to maximize the potential of the High Performance Player Pathway as outlined in Rugby Canada’s Long Term Rugby Development framework.

 
Les Gilson was hired as Rugby Canada’s High Performance Manager, in 2010, after spending nine years at Brock University as a Guest Lecturer, Intramural Coordinator and Head Coach of the Men’s Varsity Rugby program.  Les now serves as Rugby Canada’s Manager, Atlantic High Performance.  Born and raised in Lindsay, Ontario, Les has been involved in rugby for 25 years.  After receiving a Bachelor of Physical Education (Hons.) from Brock University and a Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology from East Tennessee State University, where he went on to work as a Strength & Conditioning Coach for various varsity teams, Les returned to rugby in Ontario.  With Strength & Conditioning his specialty, Les lectured at Brock while also acting as Head Coach for Ontario’s U18 team.  His success in that role earned him an honour as Strength & Conditioning Coach for Canada’s National U17 team then on to Assistant Coach with Canada East in the North America 4 competition.  All the while, Les was Head Coach at Brock and Director of Rugby at Niagara Wasps RFC and was appointed as the Ontario Blues Head Coach in 2009.

Les is a certified Strength & Conditioning specialist (CSCS) and has NCCP Level 3 Coaching Rugby, Competency Based Levels A and B for Rugby (NCCP) and recently attended the IRB Talent Identification Program in South Africa and IRB Sevens Coaching course.

Les currently resides in Victoria, BC.