Caleb Jordan Called to Play For Canadian Rugby Sevens National Team

Former Stinger is The Only Quebecer Representing His Country

SportsSafia Ahmad — Published November 28, 2016

It was from Rugby Canada’s Manager Sean Liebich.

“It was one of those moments that you kind of dream about,” said Jordan. “But until it actually happens, you don’t know it’s going to actually happen. And then once it did, I realized that my life is changing and I was really, really excited.”

After graduating from Concordia University this past summer with a Bachelor’s in Human Relations, Jordan packed his bags and moved across the country to Victoria, B.C., where Rugby Canada has its practice facilities.

Despite this whirlwind of change, Jordan adjusted smoothly, starting by sleeping on a teammate’s couch until he got settled into his own apartment.

“That was a great opportunity for me to see how nice the guys are, willing to let someone who they’ve never met live in their house and join their life,” he said.

Over the years, Jordan has made a name for himself. With the Concordia Stingers, he was named on the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec’s All-Star in 2014 and 2015. He captured the RSEQ championship when the Stingers defeated the eight-year champions, the McGill Redmen, in 2014. He was also the recipient of the $10,000 Fuelling Athletes and Coaching Excellence Program bursary this year, which is given to the most promising athletes across Canada.

As well, Jordan got his first taste of Team Canada when he was invited to train with them in 2013.

“I felt unprepared and I just didn’t have enough experience to excel then,” he recalled. “But it was a huge learning curve because it showed me where I needed to be if I ever wanted to make it to the national level. A few years later, after working on the stuff I couldn’t do then, here I am.”

Jordan’s journey to rugby started like many others in the sport: playing something completely different. Before switching into what became his passion in eleventh grade, the six-foot winger played soccer and football. Needless to say, adjustments were needed when he started rugby.

“When I started, I came from a football background so just something as simple as holding the ball with two hands or even just the concept of making a pass,” he said. “Definitely my first year, I don’t think I made a single pass.”

Rugby gave him the “ultimate challenge” that soccer and football couldn’t give.

“Rugby brings an intensity and requires a level of focus other sports don’t necessarily [require], at least for me,” he said. “To be switched on the entire game, it’s a reaction game, things aren’t set in stone beforehand. You see what’s in front of you and you adjust on the fly.”

Jordan is joining a Rugby Canada men’s sevens team that will need to adapt quickly if it wants success at the HSBC Sevens World Series, kicking off in Dubai on Dec 2. The series, comprised of ten tournaments held all over the world, showcases 19 national teams. Team Canada will be facing stiff competition from the get-go, placed in a group with Fiji, Argentina and Wales.

Team Canada only hired its current head coach, Damian McGrath, this past October, two months before the World Series. It took part in the Rugby Americas North Sevens tournament in Trinidad on Nov. 12. It won the tournament after defeating Guyana in the cup final 52-5.

Yet, one tournament isn’t enough time to introduce a group of athletes to a new coaching system and ensure good team chemistry.

Despite feeling like his team is at a “slight disadvantage” going into the World Series, McGrath believes that his group of veterans and rookies are working well together so far.

“I was really impressed with some of the younger players who have been in the system only for a short time,” he said. “It’s been enlightening for me.”

Amidst the chaos, Jordan is one of the bright spots in what could otherwise be described as a rushed few months for McGrath.

“[Jordan] brings speed,” said the head coach. “He brings athleticism, he’s a sponge that takes the information in, and he’s willing to learn. He works very hard. I can only see a bright future for Caleb.”

As the only Quebecer on the roster, Jordan feels much pride donning the maple leaf on his chest. When it’s all said and done with the World Series, Jordan is looking forward to coming back home to Montreal to share the memories and hard work with everyone who has helped him along the way.

“A lot of them have been supporting me in many different ways financially, emotionally over the last few years,” he said. “It’s just really great to see that all of the support they gave me wasn’t for nothing. They really pushed me to the highest level I could be at so I’m super thankful for that.”

But there remains one more step he wishes to complete: hitting the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

“Now I have another stepping platform I’m trying to reach beyond just playing for Rugby Canada,” he said. “Now I want to play for Canada in the Olympics and [win a] medal.”