Ric Suggitt (Canadian rugby player and coach)

Playing and early coaching career

Suggitt played rugby at the club and university level in Alberta before moving into coaching. Early in his coaching career he worked with amateur clubs and university teams, including a period as head coach at the University of Lethbridge. Those formative years established his reputation as a hands-on coach who emphasized fitness, skills development and the tactical elements of open play that are important in sevens rugby.

International coaching roles

Over his career Suggitt held several national appointments. He coached Canadian women's teams and Canada’s men's national seven-a-side squad, and in 2004 he was appointed head coach of the Canadian men’s fifteen-a-side national team. Later he served as head coach of the United States women's national rugby sevens program, including in the build-up to Olympic competition. His international roles spanned both long- and short-form rugby, reflecting a belief in cross-format skills transfer.

Notable roles and achievements

• Head coach at the University of Lethbridge, contributing to player development at the collegiate level.
• Coach of Canada's women's national team and of Canada's men's sevens team prior to leading the senior men's 15s team.
• Later appointed head coach of the U.S. women's sevens side, guiding Olympic preparations.

Coaching style and legacy

Suggitt was known for an enthusiastic, direct coaching style centered on physical conditioning, quick handling and an attacking mindset. He advocated for the growth of women's rugby and for wider recognition of sevens as both a development pathway and a standalone discipline. Many players and colleagues regarded him as a mentor who pushed teams to be fitter and more expansive in their play.

Death and recognition

Ric Suggitt died suddenly of a heart attack on June 27, 2017, in Calgary, Alberta, at age 58. His passing prompted tributes across the Canadian and international rugby communities, which remembered him for his energy, his contributions to both women’s and men’s programs, and his influence on a generation of players and coaches.