Announcement: High Performance Director


Dear Canadian Blind Sports Community: I am pleased to introduce James Thompson, who will be joining our Goalball Program at the beginning of April 2020, as our High Performance Director.

James has been the Director of Rugby at UBCOB Ravens for the past 4 years, coaching past professionals and current Canadian Rugby players. James and his team of assistant coaches combined to lead a very successful program, highlights include winning the Canadian Championships in 2019 and the BC Provincial Championship in 2018 & 2019. James was also Head Coach of the senior men’s regional side in 2019 – the BC Bears. In these roles, he was responsible for strategic planning, the delivery of the senior men’s program, and athlete and coach development.

James played semi-professional rugby in Ireland for 5 years while completing a Bachelor’s of Science at the University of Ulster. He represented Ireland at the club level, and his province nationally before moving to Canada 2013. He was awarded a sports scholarship to come to UBC to study and play rugby. After a successful season of playing varsity rugby, he was offered a two-year extension that allowed him to complete two Masters, one in Kinesiology and another in Education.

James is looking forward to his work with the Canadian Blind Sports Goalball Program.

Jane D. Blaine
CEO