Rugby Ontario welcomes VEO as official video provider

June 5th, 2024 (Whitby, ON) – Rugby Ontario is pleased to announce VEO as its official video partner. VEO is a leading sports technology company using its game-changing video technology, and robust suite of tools integrated under a single platform, to support the development of teams, players, coaches and officials. The partnership will improve access to video technology for member clubs, branches and affiliated programs of Rugby Ontario to capture, stream, analyze, and promote the sport of rugby in Ontario.

With an ever-increasing demand for video capture and streaming capabilities, this collaboration will drive benefits to the broader rugby community in Ontario, offering best-in-class cameras, video technology and resources to our members at discounted prices. VEO will become the official league exchange platform for Rugby Ontario, which will offer even further opportunities to support player and game analysis, coach and match official development, talent identification and broadcast. VEO’s quality products also serve to enhance the use of video for marketing and promotional use, allowing its users to create compelling content and revenue streams.

“We are very excited to announce this collaborative partnership with VEO,” said Myles Spencer, CEO, Rugby Ontario. “VEO’s mission is to make sports technology accessible to all, which is perfectly aligned to Rugby Ontario’s vision of ‘Rugby for All’. This partnership will bring value to our clubs across the province and support meaningful development opportunities and access to innovative video technology.”

Through this Rugby Ontario | VEO collaboration, exclusive offers are now available to Rugby Ontario members. This offer is eligible with the purchase of a one or two-year subscription at the team, club, or enterprise level. For more information on how to receive a discount code, please click here.

“We are extremely excited to partner with Rugby Ontario to make our easy-to-use capture and video analysis platform accessible to member organizations and support the development of players, coaches and officials,” said Tobias Maertzke, US Central & Canada Market Manager, Veo Technologies.

Rugby Ontario Congratulates Mo Chaudhry On Olympic Selection

Rugby Ontario is delighted to congratulate local referee Talal (Moe) Chaudhry on his selection in the squad of 23 match officials that will take charge of the rugby sevens competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France from 24-30 July.

Chaudhry, a native of Mississauga, Ont., has worked as both referee and assistant referee on the international front as well as the HSBC SVNS, formerly known as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. He also officiates Major League Rugby games as well as Ontario club and university rugby.

Rugby Ontario CEO Myles Spencer said: “We are proud that Moe has been selected to referee at the highest level of the sevens game and arguably the biggest sporting event of all, the Olympic Games. His selection is well deserved and is a testament to his hard work and dedication over many years, starting on the rugby fields of this province. On behalf of the Rugby Ontario Board, our Match Officials Committee, RO staff and everyone involved in this great game across the province, I would like to congratulate him on this achievement and wish him every success at the Games in Paris.”

Chaudhry said: “It is a massive thrill for me to have been selected for the Olympics and the realization of a dream. Of course, I have put in a lot of effort to get this far but I did not do it alone. Ever since I started refereeing in Ontario, I have been supported by many coaches and other match officials who have given me the tools, the opportunities and the encouragement to succeed. My hope now is that I can go to Paris and make them proud with my performances on that stage.”

The squad features match officials from 16 countries with Chaudhry the sole representative from Canada, although another Ontarian, Maggie Cogger-Orr, is also there. Cogger-Orr is originally from Markham, Ont, but will represent her adopted country, New Zealand, where she now lives and works.

The two Canadians have been chosen to officiate Olympic women’s play, which runs from 28-30 July at Stade de France, which was also the venue for the final of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

World Rugby High Performance Sevens Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “I am very excited to be managing a hugely experienced and talented group of match officials to Paris 2024. To have so many countries represented as well as knowing every region is involved gives our management team a huge amount of satisfaction and is testament to the pathways we have had in place over the past four years. All those selected have worked extremely hard to ensure that when we arrive in Paris, we will have officials able to referee and officiate to the level required for such a special event.”

The officials were selected following a comprehensive review of performances across the HSBC SVNS 2024 series.

Rugby Canada announces 2024 Community Rugby Fund

Rugby Canada selects a record 22 clubs across the country for 2024 Community Rugby Fund

April 17, 2024 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada, with funding from the Government of Canada, are pleased to announce the 22 successful applicants for 2024 that will receive support through Rugby Canada’s Community Rugby Fund. This is the highest number of clubs selected in a single year since the fund began in 2021.

2024 marks the fourth year of the Community Rugby Fund, which was made possible through the federal government’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI). The fund supports National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in establishing more accessible and locally organized sport programs aimed at reducing barriers to participation, particularly among Black, Indigenous and racialized communities as well as 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, people with low incomes, and newcomers. A total of $16.7 million in funding was provided to 39 NSOs, including Rugby Canada.

This year, Rugby Canada received 67 applications from across Canada and with 22 recipients selected for 2024, a total of 49 applications have now been approved for funding since the Community Rugby Fund began in 2021.

For 2024, priority was given to rugby clubs, schools or community organizations who applied for grant funding that focused on cultivating the community game with special consideration given to projects that:

  • Create or develop a school-to-club pathway to increase the number of registered rugby players participating in club rugby.
  • Enhance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility of rugby within a club, educational institution, or community organization, particularly for Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers to Canada.
  • Create new programs or develop existing programs that aim to introduce women and girls to the game of rugby.
  • Build program delivery capacity through the development of Coaches or Match Officials within the rugby community.

“2024 marks a monumental year for the Community Rugby Fund,” said Jamie Levchuk, Managing Director of Operations and Game Development for Rugby Canada. “This year we are proud to select 22 new recipients and provide $100 000 in total funding for the successful clubs, schools and community organizations who all displayed the ability to grow community and grassroots rugby in Canada. I look forward to seeing the long-lasting impact all our successful applications will have on our game.”

2024 Community Rugby Fund Recipient List

Langley Rugby Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development & mixed abilities rugby

Aurora Wolves Rugby Union
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Axemen Rugby Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Belleville Bulldogs RFC
Location: Ontario
Focus: Programming for Women & Girls, Capacity Building

Brockville Privateers RFC
Location: Ontario
Focus: Programming for Women & Girls, Capacity Building, School-to-club pathway development

Calgary Hornets RFC
Location: Alberta
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
Location: Ontario
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Edmonton Clansmen Rugby Football Club
Location: Alberta
Focus: New Youth Programming and Programming for Women & Girls

Elk Valley Rugby Football Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: New Youth Programming & School-to-club pathway development

James Bay Athletic Association
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Youth Leadership Programming

Manitoba Wombats
Location: Manitoba
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Mississauga Blues Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Youth Leadership Programming

Mont-Tremblant RFC
Location: Quebec
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development & Capacity Building

Nor’ Westers Athletic Association
Location: Alberta
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Programming for Women & Girls

Ottawa Irish Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

Rainbow Griffins Rugby Football Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

Thunder Rugby
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: Indigenous Participation Programming

Toronto City Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
Location: Nova Scotia
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, New Youth Programming

Williams Lake Rugby Football Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: Indigenous Participation Programming & School-to-club pathway development

Winnipeg High School Rugby
Location: Manitoba
Focus Area: Capacity Building & New Youth Programming

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY RUGBY FUND

The Community Rugby Fund aims to benefit the sustainability and growth of rugby across Canada. The fund allows all registered rugby clubs, as well as schools and community organizations in Canada, to submit an application for funding based on the guidelines and criteria provided by the program. All submissions will be given equal consideration and recipients of the grants will be announced annually.

Details of the 2025 Community Rugby Fund will be announced early in 2025. For more information, please click HERE or email communityfund@rugby.ca

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC SVNS Vancouver annual tournaments. 

Rugby Ontario and Arrows Academy Announce 2024 Collaboration

Rugby Ontario and Arrows Academy Announce Collaboration, 2024 Season Details

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 17th.

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

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

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

Saturday May 18th v Greystones RFC (Fletchers Fields)

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

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

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

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

June 19th to 22nd 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/

Brick by Brick: HERstory with Kelly Zacny & LeeAnn Napriorkowsi

Brick by Brick: HERstory with Kelly Zacny & LeeAnn Napriorkowsi

Last month, Rugby Ontario spoke with LeeAnn Napriorkowski and Kelly Zacny, the two recipients of the Women In Leadership Fund and avid members of our community, to share their insights and experiences during Women’s History Month. Napriorkowski currently serves as the President of the Canadian Jax and VP of Development at Lanark Highlanders while Zacny has recently become president at Georgian Bay Titans RFC. The conversation highlights the growth in the Women’s game and important steps to ensure more opportunities are within reach for women in rugby. 

Advice to Women Trying To Find Their Place In Sport 

Kelly Zacny: My whole life has been in male dominated fields and what you have to do is just never back down. You have to believe in your personality and know that you can do what you want to do and be strong about it. Don’t take no for an answer. Everybody’s still a human, man or woman. As long as we have the ability to do the job or to do whatever it is, we have the right to be there. Just keep pushing forward and don’t be intimidated. I think I intimidate guys more than intimidate me. Maybe because I’m used to it. But yeah, I’ve got guys that will inspire me or will roll with me which is actually a good feeling. It’s an empowering feeling and that’s one of the greatest things to me is being a part of combat sports and being in male dominated industries; its super empowering. I encourage women to do it because it feels damn good to walk into a room and feel confident about yourself and your abilities, especially when you’re in a male dominated aspect. Never back down ladies! 

A Moment You Reflect on With Pride 

LeeAnn Napriorkowski: Winning championships is great, and we’ve done that with different teams. I think building better humans is always part of my coaching mantra and that if you leave a programme that I’ve worked with you, you’ll become a better human by the end of it. I’m very lucky to have most of my high school players come back and help with our high school team. One of my colleagues now is one of my former high school players and he’s taken on the women’s team at St. Peter and in Ottawa. It’s a proud mama moment to sit and watch him take over practices and have other athletes come back and work with our crew and see their development through something that that I worked with them. It just makes me happy to see the work that I did coming to fruition with a new generation of athletes because rugby is a sport that you owe something back to. 

Growth in Women’s Rugby  

Kelly Zacny: I’m excited to see that women’s rugby is growing around the world and that world rugby has taken initiative to put more women on council and in decision making positions. Just improving the outreach of rugby in general because it is a phenomenal sport and both men and women should be playing on equal playing fields. I’m happy to see that there’s so much growth for sure. On the community level, I’m excited to be in this position.  I’ve hit the ground running, and I’m excited just to build the sport in my community. I’m happy that Rugby Ontario is seeking a lot of initiative, and it seems they’re in the right direction in terms of helping women grow in the sport.  

The Importance of Building a Platform for Women 

LeeAnn Napriorkowski: It’s cool to have an opportunity to be able to speak to future leaders and future players. I just hope that they don’t think their voice doesn’t get heard and that they make sure to fight for things that matter. Let’s celebrate the good and let’s make sure that everyone hears about the good and we try to help each other out. Especially as women, I think it’s important that instead of putting each other down, we build each other up and make sure that when Kelly’s successful, I’m successful. We share that experience with each other so that everyone can be successful together. 

The Roles of Women in Sport 

Kelly Zacny: Women are very capable, and people just need to recognize, and we just need to step up and get in those roles. I think we have a lot to offer, and people will see. I know even myself just getting on the board this year. People can see women can bring a lot of different skills to the table and skills that are often needed. I’m not saying it’s a man versus a woman thing, but we often just have character traits, personality traits, organizational skills or multitasking skills that offer a different perspective. Don’t don’t be afraid to go out there and go after what you want because we have a lot to offer. 

Ontario Blues Provincial Team 2024 Update

Ontario Blues Provincial Team 2024 Update

U19 – Men and Women

Rugby Ontario has partnered with the four provincial branches (EORU, TRU, NRU, and SWRU) to have selection competitions for athletes representing the U19 Rugby Ontario team competing in the 2024 CRC. This process will allow players to showcase their skills and abilities throughout three matches rather than relying on a single tryout session. This process ensures that selection is based on consistent performance rather than a one-off display. Provincial coaches and selectors will be present to observe players in competitive situations during the interbranch competition. This process will provide a more transparent and objective way of selecting players than tryouts, which can sometimes be influenced by subjective biases or limited observation time. Overall, competitions in provincial rugby offer a more comprehensive and effective method of player selection and development compared to tryouts, allowing for greater fairness, transparency, and growth opportunities for all involved.

Structure

Round-robin, each region will play each other once. This competition aims to create a high-octane, competitive platform for rugby while fostering provincial interest and showcasing the best talent from different regions. These competitions will identify the Top 26 Ontario athletes at the 2024 Canadian Rugby Championship, which will be held in August 2024 at Acadia University.

Teams

Four regional Branch Teams

NRU

TRU

EORU

SWRU

Schedule

Matches will be held between June 16th -July 7th, 2024.

Round 1 – June 16th, 2024

Round 2 – June 23rd, 2024

Round 3 – July 7th, 2024

Pre-Competition Preparation

The top 30 players will have the following dates to prepare together for the 2024 CRC Competitions:

July 14th,21st and 28th

The team will compete over ten days at Acadia University. The estimated cost is at $3000. Rugby Ontario has put together a fundraising team to support HP teams.

U18 Boys and Girls

Rugby Ontario has partnered with the four provincial branches (EORU, TRU, NRU, and SWRU) for the 2024 Ontario Summer Games. Each region will submit two U18 boys’ and two U18 girls’ teams, a total of 4. Each area must select its coaching staff and teams with players. Players born in 2006 and 2007 are the target age group.

Schedule

Pre- Competition Schedule

June 29th and 30th Great North Rugby 7’s

Markham, On

OSG Competition Schedule

August 2nd and 3rd

University of Western Ontario

Structure

Round-robin, two pools of 4 teams will play three games on Day 1 and be ranked for Day 2 playoffs.

This competition aims to create a high-octane, competitive platform for rugby while fostering provincial interest and showcasing the best talent from different regions. Expect a cost of approximately $400

U17

A four-regional team model will encourage more young athletes to get the opportunity to participate. This broader inclusion encourages excellent participation rates and allows talent from various areas to be recognized and nurtured. The inter-branch competition allows for more focused talent identification. Coaches can closely observe players within smaller geographic areas, making identifying and developing promising athletes easier. This localized approach increases the likelihood of discovering hidden talents that might have been overlooked in a more extensive provincial setup. Regional teams generally require less travel than a single provincial team, as players are drawn from smaller geographical areas. This reduction in travel expenses benefits players and their families, making participation more accessible to a broader range of individuals regardless of financial constraints. Regional teams foster a stronger sense of community engagement. Local communities often rally around their teams, providing support and resources for player development. This grassroots involvement can strengthen bonds between players, coaches, and fans, creating a supportive environment for young athletes to thrive.  With four regional teams, there’s likely to be a higher level of competition within each team as players compete for positions and recognition. This increased competition pushes players to continuously improve their skills and performance, raising the overall standard of play within each region. This competition is a pathway opportunity that prepares young athletes for higher levels of competition, such as provincial and national tryouts and tournaments. The experience gained from competing in a regional setting equips players with valuable skills, resilience, and adaptability needed to succeed at the provincial, national, and even international levels.

Schedule

Round-robin, each region will play each other once. This competition aims to create a high-octane, competitive platform for rugby while fostering provincial interest and showcasing the best talent from different regions.

Teams

Four regional Branch Teams

NRU

TRU

EORU

SWRU

Schedule

Matches will be held between August 18th -September 1st, 2024.

Round 1 – August 21st,2024

Round 2 -August 24th,2024

Round 3 – August 31st, 2024

Top Performers

Rugby Ontario will lead and facilitate the top players in each age grade, who will be selected based on performance during the interbranch competition to participate in the Ontario Blue Builder Camp in partnership with Rugby Canada. The camp will occur on October 8th and 9th and focus on development and intrasquad matches.

Information Regarding 2024 Rugby Ontario AGM Meeting

Information Regarding 2024 Rugby Ontario AGM Meeting

We are excited to announce that the 2024 Rugby Ontario Annual General Meeting will be taking place on Sunday, May 5th at 11:00 AM. In case this has not been directed to the right person in your Club / Branch, please share this notice with the appropriate people.  Please complete the AGM Registration form here to help us with our planning and to confirm our anticipated attendance.

To access the official meeting notice materials, please click on the following links:
2024 AGM Notice of Meeting
AGM Delegate Registration Form***please complete ASAP
2024 RO Board Call for Nominations
Nomination Form for 2024 Rugby Ontario Board of Directors

These files are available on the Rugby Ontario website.  

Call for Nominations for the Board of Directors
Finally, we wish to provide the open Call for Nominations for Directors on the Board of Rugby Ontario.  There are four (4) Director positions up for election at the 2024 AGM.  These positions are currently held by individuals that are each eligible to stand for re-election.  Should you be aware of any individuals that would be interested in serving the Board and play an active role in the governance of rugby in Ontario, please direct them to the Call for Nominations and Nomination Form linked above.

All nominations must be submitted by April 13, 2024 to: mspencer@rugbyontario.com

 

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: Sara Svoboda

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: Sara Svoboda

By: Nikolas Viveiros

In a country filled with any sport one can imagine, Sara Svoboda was born to play rugby. Her father and uncle grew up playing for the Belleville Bulldogs, developing the amount of skill that led to enormous opportunities.

Sara’s uncle Karl played for Canada in their first three World Cup appearances and her father, Paul, played at a high level in Ontario well into his 20s. They found a passion for the sport that would inevitably be passed down to Sara and her sisters.

Though the game was in her blood, Sara found her own love for it. While she played hockey and soccer growing up, she gave rugby a more serious shot during her first year of high school.

“I never felt like it was forced on me, and all three of us fell in love with the game.”

Sara’s two sisters, Katie and Tia also played. Katie (her twin) received her first cap for Canada in 2016, while Tia was carded for Canada’s 7’s program for a few years running.

Sara got her start in Rugby Ontario at the U16 level. Her coach in Bellville, Pete Hercus, noticed that her and Katie had some extra flare to their game, telling them they should bring their skill to the provincial level. After a few trials, Sara was told something that came to her as a surprise.

“They told me I was more suited for backrow, and I couldn’t believe it,” said Svoboda. “I just remember going to my dad in tears telling him they must think I’m slow.”

When it came time to play at the U18 level, Svoboda had established herself as a flanker. It’s a position she fell in love with, and still plays today with the Loughborough Lightning of the PWR.

“I think that was a decision that needed to be made sooner rather than later, and I’m happy I listened and leaned into that position.”

Shaun Allen was another important coach during Svoboda’s time at Rugby Ontario. Not only did he help recruit Svoboda to McMaster University, but his coaching philosophy helped her become a stronger and more confident player every day.

“He was so passionate about the Women’s game and led with the philosophy of expressing yourself,” said Svoboda. “He helped me realize that it’s not always about structure, and at the end of the day there’s 23 of us stepping on a pitch to win at whatever cost.”

One of the most important things Sara has taken away from the game on and off the pitch is the bond with teammates. Though she described setbacks like injuries and non-selections during her young career, ultimately, it’s the connections you make for a lifetime that make the game rewarding each day.

“My teammates and I will assign someone to be on cooking duty and we’ll blast Canadian country music while making pasta,” Svoboda laughed. “These are the things you don’t have in other environments and these moments with teammates make you a stronger team.”

Looking towards the future of the Women’s game, Svoboda hopes to see Ontario continue to grow the game, especially at the university level. She noted that the work being done to have Ontario universities compete in high-level tournaments like University 7’s in BC are important steps being taken.

“My dream is that one day we could home grow athletes and keep them here with our own pro teams,” said Svoboda. “If someone told me this league was starting tomorrow, I’d be home in a second.”

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: Claire Gallagher

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: Claire Gallagher

By: Nikolas Viveiros

Claire Gallagher’s young rugby career has dazzled with success. She’s represented and scored for Canada, won various USports honours such as being a 2021 RSEQ First Team All-Star and a 2018 RSEQ Rookie of the Year, and has now taken her talents abroad to play for the Leicester Tigers in Premiership Women’s Rugby. 

Gallagher grew up in Caledon, ON, and became involved in athletics at a young age. Brought up in a house with two brothers, she joked that she was sometimes a “punching bag,” attributing her early success in sports to her competition with them.  

Her introduction to athletics is similar to many. She played hockey and soccer at high levels but didn’t get her first taste of rugby until high school. There was something about the sport that intrigued her. 

“It combined skill from the other sports I played, especially speed and athleticism,” said Gallagher. “I also loved the physicality of it where you can actually follow through with a big hit which is something you cannot do in women’s hockey.”  

“I wouldn’t say my path was super-linear,” said Gallagher when describing her time playing for Rugby Ontario. She played Senior Women last year and attended various camps growing up but didn’t make the provincial team at U18 and U20 level. “I wasn’t an early bloomer, but I always had opportunities to keep developing my skills within the province.” 

Gallagher’s skills were further developed during her time at the University of Ottawa playing for the Gee Gees. She captured two RSEQ championships, appearing and scoring in both finals.  

“I wanted to leave a legacy of my own,” Gallagher said. “The support the university gave our team is unmatched and playing with great players everyday helped me improve”  

It was a full circle moment last July when Gallagher got her first cap for Canada in Ottawa. “To do that in a city I’d been living in for five years and having plenty of family and friends able to watch was special,” Gallagher said.  

The following week she scored her first try for the red and white as Canada toppled Australia 45-7 in their final Pacific Four Series match.  

“You almost blackout in that experience,” she added.  

Gallagher joined the Leicester Tigers in January and has enjoyed the opportunity to only focus on the growth of her game. She noted the stylistic difference between the game overseas. and how her and her new teammates have benefited from learning different skills from one another.  

“Most of these players have insane rugby IQ because they’ve played for so long,” said Gallagher. “I’ve enjoyed introducing them to the Canadian style of rugby and proving how good Canadian players are getting because there’s definitely a sense of doubt in our game over here.”  

To prepare for game’s, Gallagher takes a rather loose approach. She felt she was much more regimented in university, eating pasta before every game and doing visualization. “I want to enjoy it more and just have fun,” she said. “Doing things like singing and dancing helps me stay calm and play at my best.”  

Looking to the future of the female game in Ontario, Gallagher hopes to see more girls set the bar high and not shy away from any opportunities that present themselves. There was once a time where Gallagher felt she never would have the chance to represent team Canada, and now at the age of 23 she has accomplished this and so much more.  

“Always set the bar high, be ready and just go for it,” said Gallagher. “It can be scary but say yes to those rare opportunities that come your way because you may never get that chance again.”  

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: McKinley Hunt

Women’s Month SPOTLIGHT: McKinley Hunt

By: Nikolas Viveiros

Prop forward Mckinley Hunt has become a force to be reckoned with in premiership women’s rugby. Currently playing for Saracens Rugby Club in North London, Hunt’s journey to the top of the game has taken her through both the highs and lows of the sport.  

Born in King City, ON, Hunt began playing rugby during her freshman year of high school at The Country Day School. She became team captain and after her grade 10 season, she joined Barrie RFC and got involved in Rugby Ontario. 

“I knew I wanted to play from a young age as my grandfather played in the UK,” said Hunt. “I was hooked from the moment I stepped on the pitch and knew I eventually wanted to play for a school with a strong rugby program.”  

Hunt’s work on and off the pitch landed her the opportunity to play rugby at Queens University. Education is something she has always prioritized, and being able to play the sport she loved while pursuing a career in teaching was crucial.  

“Teaching is something I’m incredibly passionate about,” said Hunt. “I’ve been fortunate to have had great support systems that have allowed me to achieve my goals on the pitch and excel in the classroom.” 

One of Hunt’s biggest accomplishments was the honour of representing Canada at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. She scored a try against the US in their quarterfinal matchup and played a significant role as Canada captured fourth place. Hunt believes this is just the beginning of what Canada has to offer.  

“The World Cup is the epitome of Womens 15’s rugby,” said Hunt. “There was an attitude shift in how Canada is seen in the international community at that tournament, and I believe the 2025 World Cup will showcase even more of what we’re capable of.” 

Hunt’s success has certainly not come without pain. She’s battled through both an ACL and serious ankle injury while going through multiple surgeries to get back on the pitch. These are the moments she believes have shaped her in becoming a better athlete. 

“I thought competing at a World Cup seemed far away because I couldn’t stand up or walk,” said Hunt. “Any athlete who’s had a serious injury knows how hard it can be to come back and I’m grateful to be on the other side of that now.” 

Entering Women’s History Month, Hunt believes the growth seen in the women’s game is only the beginning and that young female athletes already have more resources available to help them succeed.  

“In Ontario, you have the opportunity to play club rugby at such a young age which didn’t exist when I was growing up.” said Hunt. “I hope girls take these opportunities that are available to them regardless of if they are going to find success or not. You never know what you can achieve.” 

Looking ahead, Hunt says there is still lots of work to be done to bring the women’s game to the next level. Though she is happy with the current progress, she knows this is only the start.  “People my age are trail blazers in the women’s game,” said Hunt. “The progress that we’ve made has allowed me to play professionally but I hope in the future that women can have the same conversations as men in terms of how much they are getting paid and supported by their organizations.” 

Hunt and the Saracens currently sit 2nd in the Allianz Premier Women’s Rugby table. The club will be chasing their fourth title, with Hunt hoping to claim her first title with the team.