The 37-year-old, who boasts an extensive background in international Sevens and professional rugby in general, takes over from the long-serving Geraint John following Canada’s best-ever sixth place Series finish last year.
Middleton’s commencement in the role is subject to Canadian Immigration requirements being met. In the meantime, the current interim coaching structure – lead by Kieran Crowley – will remain in place until the Zimbabwean and his family can move to Langford, British Columbia and assume day-to-day duties.
Middleton has enjoyed coaching stints at English Championship side Bristol, Hartpury College in Gloucester, South Africa's Howick High School along with jobs at the Rugby Football Union, before becoming director of rugby at Zimbabwe Rugby Union, where he had also been the Zimbabwe Sevens head coach since 2004.
During his Bristol tenure, the Zimbabwe-born and RFU Level 4 coach led the club to the Championship play-offs and won the British and Irish Cup.
While at Hartpury College he coached the senior 1st XV to three consecutive University Championships and under his command Zimbabwe Sevens won the trophy competition at the Sevens Rugby World Cup 2009.
Furthermore, Middleton holds an impressive history of identifying up-and-coming rugby talent and developing player pathways. He has experience of implementing high performance environments for teams to excel in whilst managing strength and conditioning, medical, psychology and performance analysis programmes.
"We're very excited to have Liam joining our coaching staff," revealed High Performance manager Steve Lancaster. "We went through an extensive application and interview process, and there were a number of highly qualified candidates from around the world, including one Canadian."
Canada will face England, Argentina and USA in the Series opener in Australi, with Canada determined to start 2014/15 stronger than last season when they agonisingly missed out on Cup qualification due to points difference.
“Canada is an athletic group who bring a level of physicality to the field, importantly they play to their strengths and have scored some great tries,” said Middleton, speaking from his home in Zimbabwe.
“They are a team with growing potential and a good team spirit; I’m looking forward to joining the team and getting a better understanding of the team culture and performance environment that they operate in both on and off the field,” he added.
Canada has 19 centralised players this year, with familiar stalwarts Nanyak Dala, John Moonlight, Phil Mack, Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke all involved. Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Ciaran Hearn, Harry Jones, Mike Scholz, Conor Trainor and Sean White also have ample experience on the international circuit, with Pat Parfrey, Pat Kay, Jack Smith, Adam Zaruba, Matt Mullins and Admir Cejvanovic completing the group.
“I think it’s clear that this will be the most contested World Series to date with the level of competition rising significantly on previous years with Olympic qualification on offer for the teams that finish in the top 4,” said Middleton.
“I believe there is a place at the top table for Canada Sevens, and each tournament provides an opportunity for us to strive for that.”
Canada’s Men’s team is currently training at the Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence in Langford, BC before departing for the Gold Coast of Australia early in October.
Canada’s Men’s Central Player List:
Admir Cejvanovic, Nanyak Dala, Justin Douglas, Sean Duke, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Pat Kay, Phil Mack, John Moonlight, Matt Mullins, Pat Parfrey, Jack Smith, Mike Scholz, Conor Trainor, Sean White, Adam Zaruba
IRB Sevens World Series schedule 2014/15
Australia 11-12 October 2014
Dubai 5-6 December 2014
South Africa 13-14 December 2014
New Zealand 6-7 February 2015
USA 13-15 February 2015
Hong Kong 27-29 March 2015
Japan 4-5 April 2015
Scotland 9-10 May 2015
England 16-17 May 2015
