As a pioneer of rugby in Canada, the 40-year-old has been deeply involved in the sports world for a very long time.
After his parents separated, Frédérick Asselin left the small town of Otterburn Park to live with his mother in Victoria, British Columbia, at the age of 12. Being naturally hyperactive, that’s when he caught the sports bug. Whether it was football or baseball, the head coach has always loved the adrenaline rush and competitive spirit that sports could provide.
He first started playing rugby at the age of 15. Despite this late start, he managed to stand out and made the Canadian national rugby team at age 21. He played for that team for six consecutive years. He played at a 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, just as he welcomed his first child, Manuel. Rugby is a physically demanding sport. It’s not uncommon for former players to have sustained injuries from playing the game. Becoming a father made him realize that he needed to prioritize his physical health in order to ensure he could spend quality time with his family in the long term.
An inadequate salary
Not ready to give up on rugby, he decided to become a coach after leaving the competitive world of the sport.
According to the former athlete, the salary of a rugby coach needs to be reconsidered. The job involves much more than just coaching a team from a technical standpoint. It also means supporting each player, providing mental encouragement, and being there for them through their ups and downs.
Frédérick Asselin knows many coaches who can’t make ends meet on a single income. They have no choice but to take on a second job to improve their financial situation.
