Brock University graduate Talal (Moe) Chaudhry (BKin ’14) is set to make his mark on the global stage as one of the 12 referees who will officiate women’s rugby sevens matches at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A proud Brock graduate and the Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Toronto Eaton Centre, Chaudhry is the sole rugby referee from Canada. He will officiate matches from Sunday, July 28 to Tuesday, July 30.

He credits his involvement with Brock Sports for playing a crucial role in his development.

“Lifelong friendships are made at Brock. It’s a place that was instrumental in my journey. The opportunities Brock provided me influenced both my rugby and business careers,” said Chaudhry. “Brock cultivated me to be who I am today.”

Chaudhry was deeply involved in sports during his time at Brock. He was a student-athlete on the men’s rugby team and worked as a student therapist for the squad. He even arranged an exchange program through Brock to the University of Otago in New Zealand to hone his refereeing skills.

His passion for the sport took him further afield through another exchange to Curtin University in Perth, Australia, where he worked with professional rugby union team Western Force, officiating at both club level and within the Academy.

Chaudhry’s love of rugby began at Streetsville Secondary School in Mississauga and he played throughout high school. He began to focus on officiating after a knee injury interrupted his playing career.

“I wasn’t a big stature guy and knew I wasn’t going to progress as a player, so I turned my attention to refereeing,” he said.

Chaudhry’s refereeing career boasts impressive highlights, including appearances at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) competitions and the Americas Rugby Championships.

He also served as an in-goal judge at the Vancouver Sevens and the Vegas Sevens upon returning to Canada in 2013. In 2018, he began refereeing in Major League Rugby, and he participated in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series in South America in 2020. Chaudhry refereed during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2021 and the Pan American Games in Chile in 2023.

Reflecting on his journey, Chaudhry noted the values rugby has instilled in him, particularly related to diversity and inclusivity.

“Rugby allows all shapes and sizes to play, and as referees, we facilitate that inclusivity on the field,” he said. “It’s not just about applying the rules but facilitating and creating a fair, enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”

Chaudhry’s role as an official extends beyond the rugby field into his professional life. As the Owner-Operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise, he applies the lessons learned from rugby to mentor his team and give back to the community.

Representing Canada at the Paris Olympics is a significant honour for Chaudhry and he hopes to inspire his team and the local community to pursue their own aspirations.

“It’s a big responsibility and a huge honour,” he said. “This journey is not just mine; it’s a collective effort supported by friends, family and the entire rugby community.”