In the Fall of 2018, Doug Tate enters his 25th year patrolling the Vikes sideline at Wallace Field as head coach of the four-time Canadian University champion men's rugby team.
With Tate at the helm, the Vikes won back-to-back Canadian University titles in 1997 and '98, the only two years the event was held. Tate also led the Vikes to BC Rugby Premier Division Championships in 2003 and 2010, and in 2011 the Vikes captured their ninth Barnard Cup as Island champs with a 23-18 upset of James Bay.
Tate can also boast a tremendous track record of success against the UBC Thunderbirds. The two schools meet in annual rivalry game to play for the Wightman Boot trophy. Tate led the Vikes to a 16-year winning streak in the series with an overall won-loss record of 35-4-1 leading into 2014. In 2009-10, the Vikes won the two-game series by a record margin of 94 points.
Countless Vikes players under Tate have suited up for National XVs and Sevens teams. In 2009, six Vikes represented Canada at the senior men’s XVs level, four played for the senior men’s 7s squad, five competed in the Junior World Rugby Trophy and two Vikes were on the FISU World Rugby Sevens squad that ventured to Portugal.
Tate himself is familiar with the international stage. He was head of Canada’s National Rugby Sevens team for five years (1997-02) and served as the Technical Director for the Canadian National Sevens Team during 2008 tour stops in San Diego, Hong Kong and Adelaide, Australia. Tate also coached Canada at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Tate’s playing career saw him suit up at the club, provincial and national level. The Vancouver native was a member of the 1981 Canadian National Team that toured to Argentina, as well as competing for UBC at the varsity level.
Along with coaching the Premier team, Tate also manages the Vikes first division team, the Norsemen, as well as the Vikes development team, the Jutes. Tate is a Certified Master Coach courtesy of the National Coaching Institute. He also has a Bachelor and Masters degree in Education.
Last updated Dec. 2017.
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MAJOR AWARDS:
Rounsfell Cup - B.C. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS (3): 1971 • 2003 • 2010
Barnard Cup - Vancouver Island Elite Divison Title (10): 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1984 • 1985 • 1987 • 1987 • 2003 • 2006 • 2009
CANADIAN UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS (2): 1997 • 1998
UNIVERSITY 7s RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS (4): 2011 • 2013 • 2014 • 2016
