MONTREAL -- Julianne Zussman, a product of the McGill University women's rugby program who played a decade for the Canadian national team, is among 22 officials appointed to work for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The roster of game officials was announced Wednesday by World Rugby for the women's and men's rugby sevens competitions at the Games.

Zussman, a 32-year-old native of Ottawa, graduated from McGill in 2008 with an arts degree, majoring in international development studies. She will be part of an officiating team at the Games, drawn from 12 countries spread across four continents. The group, which includes eight female referees, features a blend of highly-experienced veterans and young talent making their debuts on the Olympic stage.

Zussman's rugby resume includes an impressive playing career with the national team, in both the 15 aside and sevens format, before retiring in 2018. She tallied 18 tries in 44 contests for Canada, playing in three Rugby World Cups and in two rounds of the inaugural 2012-13 Sevens Series.

As a member of the McGill Martlets, Zussman merited RSEQ rookie-of-the-year honours in 2004 and achieved RSEQ all-conference status in 2005. Also a product of the Castaway Wanderers rugby football club in Montreal, the 5-foot-6 fullback was part of the national program from 2007 to 2017. When not traveling to international tournaments, Zussman is employed as a communications coordinator with the Canadian Sport Institute in Victoria, B.C.

In 2019, Zussman became the first Canadian player to referee at the international level at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

"I'm so thrilled to hear that (she) has been selected to referee in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics," said Sandro Fiorino, head coach of the Canadian women's team, in a press release. "Julianne's transition from international player to referee has been remarkable. Her commitment and dedication to her craft have put her at an elite standard as one of the world's best."

The panel of Olympic officials was made by a World Rugby selection committee, following a comprehensive review of performances and fitness. All selected referees have proven themselves on the annual HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and many also worked at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens tourney in San Francisco and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

"We have selected a match officials squad that includes a good mix of experience and youth, with selection based on merit following a thorough evaluation of performances and I thank all those involved in the process," said World Rugby High Performance Sevens referee manager Paddy O'Brien.

"Just like the players, coaches and teams, the match officials are preparing and training hard in order to arrive in Tokyo in peak physical and mental condition to perform to the very best of their abilities for what will be a career highlight for all involved."

Canada's sevens program recently participated in a high-performance preparation event in Dubai. In the second weekend of the Emirates Invitational Sevens, both the men's and women's teams advanced to the Cup finals and finished in second place.

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
TEL: 514-398-7012
EMAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca