A rugby pioneer in Canada, the 40-year-old has been involved in the sport for a very long time.
With separated parents, Frédérick Asselin left the small town of Otterburn Park to join his mother in Victoria, British Columbia, at the age of 12. Being hyperactive by nature, that's when he got hooked on sports. From soccer to baseball, the head coach has always loved the adrenalin and competitive spirit that sports can bring.
He began playing rugby for the first time at the age of 15. Despite this late start, he managed to make his mark on the Canadian rugby team at the age of 21. He held a place on the team for six consecutive years. He played at semi-professional level around the world, including in New Zealand.
"Rugby is my passion," says Rugby Québec head coach Frédérick Asselin.
He retired from rugby at the age of 33, when he welcomed his first child, Manuel. Rugby can be a physically demanding sport. It's not unusual for the former player to have injured himself as a result of playing. Being a father made him realize that he had to put his physical health first, in order to preserve long-term quality time with his family.
An inadequate salary
Not ready to give up rugby, he chose to become a coach after leaving the competitive world of rugby.
According to the ex-athlete, the salary of a rugby coach should be reviewed. There's a lot more to coaching than just instructing a team from a sporting point of view. It also means getting behind each player, encouraging them mentally and listening to their ups and downs.
Frédérick Asselin knows many coaches who can't afford to live on a single income. It's essential for them to have a second job in order to remedy their financial situation.
