The Concordia Department of Recreation and Athletics is pleased to announce Craig Beemer will be the new head coach of the Stingers men’s rugby team.
A Peterborough, Ont. native, he came to Montreal in 2000 to begin his university studies at McGill where he played football and rugby for the Redmen.
“Upon graduation, the rugby coach asked me to stay on as an assistant coach,” said Beemer who completed a Bachelor of Education, Physical Education, in 2005. “That’s when my coaching career started.”
Beemer stayed with McGill as an assistant coach and head coach – he took over in 2007 – for eight seasons. The Redmen won the RSEQ championship in all eight of those years.
He’s developed an extensive and impressive coaching résumé working at a variety of levels. He was head coach of the Quebec senior men’s team in 2011. Last year he worked with the provincial U18 women’s team.Beemer has coached high school rugby and has been involved in the club system with the Montreal Wanderers and TMR.
He joined the Stingers as an assistant coach in 2014 and played a significant role in the championship campaign. He was also with Concordia last season.Rugby fans can expect Beemer to put together an exciting team to represent the Stingers.
“My favorite style of rugby is open and fast-paced,” he said. “I like to move the ball and let the ball do the work for you. I like to play at a level that the other team can’t keep up with.”
But the coach is also realistic. Concordia’s approach will depend on its talent and what the opposition has to offer.
“I always tell my players to play to our strengths and attack the other teams’ weaknesses,” he said.
Tryouts for the men’s rugby team will start on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Athletes who want to try out should arrive prepared for an on-field workout.
“I like my practices up-tempo and competitive,” Beemer said. “We will work hard, put a real focus on the basics and enjoy ourselves.”
To contact the coach, send an email to rugby@concordia.ca.
