NEWS: Gee-Gees announce Jack Hanratty as next women’s rugby head coach

OTTAWA, ON – The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees are proud to announce that Canada's Senior Women's Sevens head coach, Jack Hanratty, has been hired as head coach of the Gee-Gees women's rugby program.

Hanratty has served as the head coach of Sevens team in either interim or full-time capacity since 2021. Due to his commitments to Canada's pursuit of the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer, Hanratty will not officially assume his post until the New Year, to ensure a smooth transition for the program.

"I am very proud to join the University of Ottawa and pursue excellence with the Gee-Gees women's rugby program," said Hanratty. "I've been a fan of the varsity structure and U SPORTS rugby for many years and joining this system is something I'm looking forward to."

"Working to continue to develop the student-athletes and their ambitions in rugby, education, and life will be key priorities in our program while aiming for contention at both at the RSEQ and the U SPORTS level."

For the 2024 season, Duncan McNaughton will return to the helm of the Gee-Gees, after leading the team to a 5-1 regular season record, an RSEQ Championship win, and an appearance at the 2023 U SPORTS Championship last fall.

"Jack is a world class rugby coach, and it is a huge complement to uOttawa and the Gee-Gees varsity sports program that he is joining this amazing group," said McNaughton.

"Personally, I could not be more excited to be invited back to help with this transition and coach our 2024 season, Jack is a good friend and look forward to seamlessly handing over the program," said McNaughton.

Hanratty, a native of Skerries, Ireland, has a lengthy resume in the sport. Beginning his coaching career with his hometown Skerries RFC and at Skerries Community College, Hanratty rose to enjoy an over five-year stay as Rugby Development Officer and Community Rugby Officer in the professional ranks with Leinster Rugby from 2007-13. Hanratty further gained valuable experience at Dublin City University, Balbriggan RFC, and Railway Union RFC before moving to Canada in 2013.

Once arriving in Nova Scotia, Hanratty quickly rose to become a key figure in the operation and delivery of all Rugby Nova Scotia provincial programs for nearly a decade, leading the Keltics programs to outstanding success on national stages.

With Rugby Canada, outside of his work with the Sevens team, Hanratty has spent the past eight years working with various programs at the national level. This includes spending three years as the attack coach of the Senior Women's XVs team, serving as head coach of the U20 women's team, Academy Coach for the Atlantic Region, and as an assistant coach with the U18 men's team.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Jack to the Gee-Gees," said Danika Smith, Assistant Director, Varsity Sports at the University of Ottawa. "With outstanding experience growing women's rugby at all levels in this country, this program's future is in good hands with Jack at the helm."

"We are also grateful that Duncan has agreed to return this fall to help guide the team transition. We have the utmost confidence in him to continue to lead this program to fight for a U SPORTS Championship this year," said Smith.