LAUSANNE – It is with great sadness that FISU learned of the news that Beth Coalter, the FISU Technical Delegate for Rugby Sevens passed away following a short illness.
Professionally, Beth Coalter (GBR) was also very much involved with rugby being the World Rugby Sevens Operations Manager and a much-loved and highly-valued member of the World Rugby team. Beth’s passion and professionalism during 10 years with the international federation was a major driving force behind rugby sevens successful campaign for Olympic Games inclusion and the growth and ongoing success of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Beth CoalterFor FISU she had been the Rugby Sevens Technical Delegate since 2012, involved in two successful World University Championships, in 2012 (Reims, FRA) and 2014 (Vitoria, BRA), and also at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, where Rugby Sevens was an optional sport. She was also involved in the preparations of the upcoming 2016 WUC Rugby Sevens in Swansea.
Beth will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her during her time on the global rugby sevens circuit, both with World Rugby, FISU and with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, where she began her career in rugby and was much-loved and respected.
As a mark of respect from the global rugby family, all officials involved with this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals between South Africa and New Zealand and Argentina and Australia at Twickenham Stadium will wear black armbands as a mark of respect, World Rugby have confirmed.
The thoughts of the FISU Family are with Beth’s family at this very difficult time.
C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer