Q&A – Rugby Canada Team Manager, Emma Delory

Before the Rugby World Cup we caught up with the Canadian Senior Women’s 15 team manager, Emma Delory:

Q. How are you preparing for the upcoming Rugby World Cup?

A. Creating the tour manual, packing team bags, confirming flights, reviewing tournament procedures and Covid restrictions in New Zealand, liaising with our media team for our send-off week out in Vancouver, and creating training schedules. I’m also trying to spend as much time with my dog, Poppy before I leave for three months.

Q. Tell us about your experience as the team manager. When/why did you first get involved in management?

A. I got involved in managing this team as I was interested in learning about how our national sport organization functioned at our highest levels of performance. I was given the opportunity to come on board when there was a change in staffing with Rugby Canada. I have been very fortunate that Rugby NS and its membership have been supportive of my development in this role.

Q. What is your most memorable moment as a manager?

A. My 30th birthday was spent on tour with the team in Wales this past November. After training the team lifted me up on their shoulders and sang happy birthday. I also love game day- high pace and lots of energy.

Q. What support do you provide to the athletes you work with?

A. I work directly with our athletes to ensure their day (whether it’s training, games, media, or community engagement) works and runs in the most efficient way possible. This could mean any number of supports, but often it means communicating menus and dietary restrictions to the hotels, arranging transport, ensuring athletes are in a room with someone who they get along with, bringing extra gear to training (in case anyone forgets theirs), and of course listening when they have barriers or requests, and helping them mentally and emotionally to stay positive during long tours.

Q. What advice do you have for younger female athletes who are looking to go further with their athletic career or who want to switch to the administrative side of sport?

A. Get involved. So many teams need good managers– many teams, especially club rugby teams operate without a manager but would love to have someone to help with the logistics of operating. There are even small tasks you can be in charge of if the title of manager seems overwhelming- being responsible for jerseys, planning the post-game social, sorting out transport to away games, etc.

Q. What advice do you have for team managers or people that are thinking about becoming a manager of a team?

A. It’s a big role and the job specs often don’t do the role justice. Key skills to develop to be a great manager are problem-solving, keeping your cool under pressure, and interacting as a professional in the space when liaising with other teams or stakeholders.

For any team with a manager, make sure you thank them. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that (if done correctly) most people will never even know happened.

Q. What do you think helps to create an environment that encourages girls to stay in the game?

A. Female leadership: see her, be her. I also think male coaches in general need to continue to learn about how emotions and relationships can play such a strong role in the team environment with a female team. The environment of your team can determine if athletes want to stay in the game.

Q. Share a fun fact about yourself or something that you would like people to know.

A. In addition to managing Team Canada, I also work full-time for Rugby NS and part-time as a coach with the Saint Mary’s Varsity Rugby Team.