WHITBY, ON – Rugby Ontario and The Arrows Academy are pleased to announce that the two organizations are collaborating to design and deliver Ontario’s senior men’s provincial program in 2024.

The strategic partnership will see the provincial sports governing body and the re-launched high-performance rugby academy come together to provide a professional experience for senior men’s rugby players across Ontario this upcoming season.

The Academy, building from the legacy of the Toronto Arrows, is a new Ontario-based development academy that provides elite rugby programs and training for athletes. Staffed by former Toronto Arrows coaches and players, including Jamie Cudmore, Shane Cahill and Noel Reid, the Academy’s Coaching Staff bring decades of playing and coaching experience at the professional and international level.

“Collectively, we share a vision of designing and delivering meaningful programming to support the senior men’s player pathway in Ontario,” said Myles Spencer, Rugby Ontario Chief Executive Officer. “We are encouraged by the recent development of this collaborative model and representative program for 2024 – one that will optimize resources, be complementary to what clubs are offering and ultimately serve to develop club players at senior levels.”

Phase 1 of the 2024 senior men’s provincial program season, which will commence in early spring, will see eligible* players gather in regional hubs for open training sessions led by both Academy coaches and other Rugby Ontario coaches. These regional squads will participate in spring matches against top-level, out-of-province sides (see schedule below).

Phase 2, which will run mid-spring, will see ~60 players selected^ players to participate in a centralized showcase Ontario East vs. Ontario West match with a final squad of players being selected from this showcase match.

Phase 3, projected for late spring, will see the final travelling squad selected for the 2024 Coast to Coast Cup in Halifax, NS the week of June 17^th.

“After everything that has transpired over the last 8 months, we are very excited to share the news around the program for the 2024 season” said Tim Matthews, Executive Director of The Arrows Academy. “Working in collaboration with Rugby Ontario, we have been able to create a program for athletes across the Province who are seeking a higher level of training and competition.”

“This collaboration provides a clear high-performance pathway for players” added Sandro Fiorino, Rugby Ontario High Performance Technical Manager. “This is a significant step in developing talent in our province with the participating players returning to their clubs with professional experience under their belts.”

Interested players can reach out to jcudmorerugby@gmail.com all other inquiries can be directed to tmatthews@torontoarrows.com

 

* players must be registered with an Ontario-based club

^ players will be selected from performances at training sessions and identification sessions

 

2024 Schedule

April 14^th – Eastern Ontario Talent Combine – Queens University Tindall Field 12-2 pm

April 18^th  – Western Ontario Talent Combine – Burlington Centaurs Rugby Club 6-8 pm

Saturday May 11^th v Atlantic Privateers (Crescent School, Toronto)

Saturday May 18^th v Greystones RFC (Fletchers Fields)

Sunday May 19^th v Que Sr Men (Twin Elm Park, Ottawa)

May 25^th v New England Freejacks Academy (Syracuse, NY)

June 2^nd v TBD, East Coast Rugby Championship (Montreal, QC)

June 8^th Ontario East v West Showcase and Selection Game (Fletcher’s Fields, ON)

June 19^th to 22^nd Coast to Coast Cup (Halifax, NS)

 

About The Rugby Academy:

Established in 2024, The Rugby Academy provides elite, professional rugby training for Ontario based male and female age-grade athletes.

For players who want to advance their game and are committed to training several times weekly in a competitive environment, the Academy’s professional coaches will further develop skills and strengths through individualized instruction and work ethic, mentorship, and teamwork to best position them for success as elite athletes.

The Academy’s camps and programs close the gap between competitive club and school programs and post-secondary, provincial, national, and professional environments.

For more information, please visit https://www.therugbyacademy.ca/