Tackling Change

When Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team captured silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it was a moment of triumph built on years of progress both on and off the field. The achievement wasn’t just a testament to the players’ grit and skill – it also reflected the growing strength of rugby in Canada, a sport that has seen increased participation, improved governance and a stronger emphasis on inclusivity in recent years. At the centre of these developments is Lauren Wolman (BA ’01, MA ’14, PhD ’21), whose three-decade career in rugby has helped lay the foundation for these successes.

Wolman’s impact on Canadian rugby is rooted in her unique ability to bridge grassroots development and high-level governance. As Chair of Rugby Canada’s Governance and Ethics & Integrity committees, she has worked to implement policies that prioritize safe sport principles, accountability and inclusion. These efforts have not only strengthened the organization, but also created pathways for more Canadians – especially women and youth from underserved communities – to participate in rugby.

“Rugby taught me that everyone has a place on the field,” Wolman says. “Now, I’m working to ensure that principle applies across the sport at every level.”

Wolman’s journey into rugby began in high school, where she found a sense of belonging through the sport’s inclusive culture. That same spirit led her to York University in 1996, where she chose her undergraduate program specifically to play varsity rugby. At the time, York’s women’s rugby program was underfunded and still finding its footing. By her third year, Wolman had taken on the role of team president, leading efforts to secure better funding and recognition for the program. Her leadership coincided with rugby being officially recognized as a CIAU (now U Sports) sport.

Sports can be transformative. They teach resilience, teamwork and confidence – skills that extend far beyond the field

After graduating with an undergraduate degree in fine arts cultural studies and a certificate in sports administration, Wolman took her passion for rugby overseas to England in 2001. There, she played competitively while working for the National Health Service, focusing on improving delivery and access to health services across London and particularly for hard-to-reach and equity-deserving groups. This experience deepened her understanding of how sports can be a vehicle for social change.

Wolman returned to Canada in 2009 and reconnected with York University as a graduate student. Under the mentorship of faculty members Jessica Fraser-Thomas and Yuka Nakamura, she completed her MA and PhD in kinesiology and health science. Her doctoral research examined sports participation among youth in inner-city Toronto – a subject that inspired her ongoing work with grassroots organizations such as the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation, Urban Squash Toronto, Impact Skateboard Club and Hijabi Ballers.

These initiatives reflect Wolman’s commitment to using sports as a tool for youth development. “Sports can be transformative,” she says. “They teach resilience, teamwork and confidence – skills that extend far beyond the field.”

In 2022, Wolman was appointed to the board of directors for Rugby Canada and spearheaded the creation of Rugby Canada’s Ethics & Integrity Committee, which is comprised of professionals from across Canada who work in sports development, academia, governance, human rights and law, that provide advice to the board and senior leadership on ethical situations and decision-making.  

Since joining the board, Rugby Canada has gone from strength to strength. In 2023, Rugby Canada became a Program Signatory of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), enhancing the organization’s commitment to safe sport. As well, the national women’s team gained great success in 2024, in addition to its silver at the Olympics, the team was ranked second in both seven-player and 15-player formats by World Rugby, making them one of the strongest international women’s programs.

For Wolman, one of her proudest moments came during the Paris Olympics when Asia Hogan-Rochester – a former York student whom Wolman coached as a junior player – helped lead Canada to its silver-medal finish. “Seeing Asia succeed at that level was incredible,” she says. “It’s a reminder that our work at every level – from grassroots to governance – can have an impact on the field.”

As Canadian rugby looks ahead to the Women’s World Cup in England this fall, Wolman remains focused on ensuring the sport continues to grow sustainably. Her vision extends beyond medals: she wants rugby in Canada to be a model of inclusivity, accountability and excellence: “Rugby Canada’s philosophy is ‘One Squad.’ We’re building something bigger than wins or rankings – we’re building a community where everyone belongs.”  ■